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In 2003, we strengthened our footprint.
During the year, we exchanged assets with AT&T Wireless,
divesting our properties in Georgia and north Florida
and adding presence in our strategic markets.
We launched eight markets in our strategic footprint
– specifically, in Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota,
Indiana and Oklahoma.
Later in the year, we announced the divestiture of our
south Texas assets to AT&T Wireless – a transaction
that closed Feb. 18, 2004. A smaller market, South Texas
was not contiguous to any of our other, more established
markets. Proceeds from the sale will free up resources
to support the build-out of several of the new markets
we acquired during 2003 and help fund our network improvements.
In addition, we made substantial progress in our Chicago
market. After operating in our hometown for a little more
than a year, we have significantly grown our market presence
through our advertising, marketing and public relations
campaigns, stores and agents. Our efforts have resulted
in strong name recognition, and most importantly, growth
in our customer base and market share. Chicago is an important
market for us, because it’s the hub of the Midwest
and a popular, vibrant destination for many of our Midwest
customers.
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