VoiceStream Wireless
Encyclopedia
VoiceStream Wireless Inc. traces it roots to the 1994 establishment of VoiceStream Wireless PCS as a subsidiary of Western Wireless Corporation
. On May 3, 1999, Western Wireless Corporation spun off its VoiceStream Wireless PCS subsidiary to Western Wireless shareholders, creating an independent, publicly-traded company named VoiceStream Wireless Corporation. Shares of the newly independent company traded on the NASDAQ under the stock ticker symbol VSTR. Deutsche Telekom AG
purchased VoiceStream Wireless Corporation on May 31, 2001 for US$35 billion. Deutsche Telekom renamed its acquisition VoiceStream Wireless Inc. and organized it as a subsidiary of T-Mobile International AG
, the mobile communications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. VoiceStream Wireless Inc. was re-named T-Mobile USA, Inc.
in July, 2002.
brand.
VoiceStream Wireless was a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Wireless until December 1997, when United States federal regulators granted Western Wireless' request to exceed a foreign ownership cap. The waiver allowed Hong Kong
-based Hutchison Whampoa
to buy a 19.9% stake in the VoiceStream Wireless subsidiary.
its VoiceStream Wireless division to Western Wireless shareholders, creating an independent, publicly-traded Delaware corporation called VoiceStream Wireless Corporation. Shares of VoiceStream Wireless traded on the NASDAQ
under the stock ticker symbol VSTR. The spin off was intended to remove any conglomerate discount, get better value recognition for each of Western Wireless' core analog cellular and digital PCS networks and help each business pursue independent strategies.
In 2000, VoiceStream Wireless acquired two regional carriers. Omnipoint Corporation, a regional network operator in the northeast
, was acquired on February 25, 2000 and Aerial Communications, Inc., a regional network operator in the midwest, was acquired on May 4, 2000. The combined company retired the Omnipoint and Aerial brands and completed integrating the three companies by converting to a single customer billing platform, implementing standard business practices and launching the VoiceStream brand and "GET MORE" marketing strategy in all markets.
regional network operator Powertel, Inc.
for US$24 billion. By the end of 2001, VoiceStream Wireless had 19,000 employees serving 7 million subscribers.
In July 2002, VoiceStream Wireless Inc. took its current name, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and began rolling out the T-Mobile brand, starting with locations in California and Nevada. T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the United States operating entity of T-Mobile International AG, the mobile communications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG
.
Western Wireless Corporation
Western Wireless Corporation was a cellular network operator that provided mobile telecommunications service to subscribers in 19 western states and seven countries. Western Wireless marketed analog cellular service under the CELLULAR ONE brand in 88 FCC-defined rural service areas and digital PCS...
. On May 3, 1999, Western Wireless Corporation spun off its VoiceStream Wireless PCS subsidiary to Western Wireless shareholders, creating an independent, publicly-traded company named VoiceStream Wireless Corporation. Shares of the newly independent company traded on the NASDAQ under the stock ticker symbol VSTR. Deutsche Telekom AG
Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom AG is a telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, Germany. It is the largest telecommunications company in Europe....
purchased VoiceStream Wireless Corporation on May 31, 2001 for US$35 billion. Deutsche Telekom renamed its acquisition VoiceStream Wireless Inc. and organized it as a subsidiary of T-Mobile International AG
T-Mobile
T-Mobile International AG is a German-based holding company for Deutsche Telekom AG's various mobile communications subsidiaries outside Germany. Based in Bonn, Germany, its subsidiaries operate GSM and UMTS-based cellular networks in Europe, the United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
, the mobile communications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. VoiceStream Wireless Inc. was re-named T-Mobile USA, Inc.
T-Mobile USA
T-Mobile USA, Inc. is an American mobile-network operator, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, that provides wireless voice, messaging and data services in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company is the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the U.S. market with 33.73...
in July, 2002.
VoiceStream Wireless PCS
VoiceStream Wireless PCS was established in 1994 as a subsidiary of Western Wireless Corporation to provide digital wireless personal communications services (PCS) in 19 FCC-defined metropolitan service areas. VoiceStream Wireless' digital, urban service areas complemented the analog, rural service areas marketed by Western Wireless under the Cellular OneCellular One
Cellular One is the trademarked brand name used by several cellular service providers in the United States and Bermuda. The brand was sold to Trilogy Partners by AT&T in 2008 shortly after AT&T had completed its acquisition of Dobson Communications...
brand.
VoiceStream Wireless was a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Wireless until December 1997, when United States federal regulators granted Western Wireless' request to exceed a foreign ownership cap. The waiver allowed Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
-based Hutchison Whampoa
Hutchison Whampoa
Hutchison Whampoa Limited or HWL of Hong Kong is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. HWL is an international corporation with a diverse array of holdings which includes the world's biggest port and telecommunication operations in 14...
to buy a 19.9% stake in the VoiceStream Wireless subsidiary.
VoiceStream Wireless Corporation
On May 3, 1999, Western Wireless spun offSpin out
A spin-out, also known as a spin-off or a starburst, refers to a type of corporate action where a company "splits off" sections of itself as a separate business....
its VoiceStream Wireless division to Western Wireless shareholders, creating an independent, publicly-traded Delaware corporation called VoiceStream Wireless Corporation. Shares of VoiceStream Wireless traded on the NASDAQ
NASDAQ
The NASDAQ Stock Market, also known as the NASDAQ, is an American stock exchange. "NASDAQ" originally stood for "National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations". It is the second-largest stock exchange by market capitalization in the world, after the New York Stock Exchange. As of...
under the stock ticker symbol VSTR. The spin off was intended to remove any conglomerate discount, get better value recognition for each of Western Wireless' core analog cellular and digital PCS networks and help each business pursue independent strategies.
In 2000, VoiceStream Wireless acquired two regional carriers. Omnipoint Corporation, a regional network operator in the northeast
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States as defined by the United States Census Bureau.-Composition:The region comprises nine states: the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont; and the Mid-Atlantic states of New...
, was acquired on February 25, 2000 and Aerial Communications, Inc., a regional network operator in the midwest, was acquired on May 4, 2000. The combined company retired the Omnipoint and Aerial brands and completed integrating the three companies by converting to a single customer billing platform, implementing standard business practices and launching the VoiceStream brand and "GET MORE" marketing strategy in all markets.
Deutsche Telekom acquisition
On June 1, 2001, Deutsche Telekom AG completed the acquisition of VoiceStream Wireless Inc. for US$35 billion and southernSouthern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
regional network operator Powertel, Inc.
Powertel (U.S. cellular carrier 1998-2001)
Powertel Inc. was a mobile network operator headquartered in West Point, Georgia, United States that provided analog cellular and digital PCS mobile communications services in the Southeastern United States. Powertel traces its roots to the May, 1999 incorporation in Georgia of Interstate Cellular,...
for US$24 billion. By the end of 2001, VoiceStream Wireless had 19,000 employees serving 7 million subscribers.
In July 2002, VoiceStream Wireless Inc. took its current name, T-Mobile USA, Inc. and began rolling out the T-Mobile brand, starting with locations in California and Nevada. T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the United States operating entity of T-Mobile International AG, the mobile communications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG
Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom AG is a telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, Germany. It is the largest telecommunications company in Europe....
.