AirGate Wireless Signs Affiliation Agreement with Sprint PCS

Business Wire,  July 29, 1998  

Tags: affiliation, agreement, Sprint PCS

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ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 29, 1998--

Company to offer Sprint PCS digital, wireless communications

in three states

AirGate Wireless, L.L.C. today announced that it has signed a long-term contract with Kansas City, Missouri-based Sprint PCS(R) to be an affiliate in major southeastern markets.

Under terms of the agreement, AirGate Wireless will be the exclusive market provider of Sprint PCS products and services in a coverage area that stretches from North Carolina, through South Carolina to Georgia. This vast region is home to a population of approximately 6.8 million.

"We are excited about our selection by Sprint PCS to bring PCS services to these markets," said Tom Body, acting CEO of AirGate Wireless. "Sprint PCS is a premier telecommunications brand that will be a great asset to us as we move forward with an aggressive growth plan."

Pursuant to the agreement, AirGate Wireless will provide Sprint PCS services in parts of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia with initial service slated for launch in the Anderson and Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina markets in the first quarter of 1999.

"Everyone is a winner in this agreement," Body added. "Sprint PCS is able to begin offering 100-percent digital, 100-percent PCS services in some very important markets -- very quickly. AirGate Wireless becomes part of the top wireless provider in the nation, and most importantly, consumers in our coverage area get a premium quality service at competitive rates. We will provide a clear alternative to cellular."

Consumers and businesses will see a real difference between Sprint PCS service and the other cellular and digital wireless offerings. Sprint PCS has pioneered the way wireless services are packaged and delivered. For example, Sprint PCS offers innovations such as the first minute free on incoming calls and enhanced features such as caller ID. Sprint PCS offers a whole new proposition that consists of superior call clarity, nationwide service, simplicity and value.

Through this agreement, AirGate Wireless will benefit from Sprint PCS' relationships with key infrastructure and phone manufacturers, and national retail distribution partners. In addition, customers throughout the market area will be able to utilize the PCS network and support assets of Sprint PCS including 24-hour network management and monitoring via the Sprint PCS National Network Operations Control Center; billing, voice mail and prepaid platforms; and Sprint PCS Customer Care.

Sprint PCS has the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving 158 metropolitan markets which include more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS, together with its affiliates and Sprint Corporation, has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 260 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sprint PCS is a partnership of Sprint Corporation, Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), Cox Communications, Inc. and Comcast Corporation.

AirGate Wireless is an entrepreneurial company founded by a group of wireless industry professionals and telecommunications industry investors dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services. Their strategic financial partners are the San Francisco-based venture capital firms of Weiss, Peck & Greer and JAFCO America Ventures.

CONTACT: AirGate Wireless

Bob Gourlay, 704/643-4195

or

Cookerly & Company

Chip Stewart, 404/816-2037

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