(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - Alaska Communications and GCI have signed definitive agreements for Alaska Communications to sell its wireless subscriber base and its 33 percent interest in its partnership in the Alaska Wireless Network, LLC to GCI for $300 million.

"We are pleased to reach these agreements that allow each company to pursue its own strategy," said Alaska Communications President and CEO Anand Vadapalli and GCI President and CEO Ron Duncan in a joint statement. "We are committed to a seamless service transition for wireless customers. Alaskans will continue to benefit from a vibrant competitive market for wireless services."

Vadapalli added, "We appreciate the loyal support of our wireless customers and thank our wireless team who consistently deliver excellent customer service. We will continue to provide customers with this same level of quality service and support during the transition of wireless services."

Duncan concluded, "We welcome wireless subscribers from Alaska Communications and are committed to providing them the latest technologies and superior customer service on Alaska's only statewide network."

Under the terms of the agreements and upon close:

• GCI will assume Alaska Communications' wireless subscriber base. Services will be uninterrupted and will continue to operate statewide and nationally.
  As of September 30, 2014, Alaska Communications had approximately 109,000 wireless customers.
• GCI will purchase Alaska Communications' 33 percent interest in AWN and will then own 100 percent of AWN. Upon close, these agreements will eliminate future preferred and partnership distributions that otherwise would have been due under the original AWN agreements. Up until close Alaska Communications will continue to receive preferred distributions from AWN.
• The two companies have agreed upon a service transition plan for Alaska Communications customers. This will ensure a seamless continuation of service as they are transitioned to GCI.
• Alaska Communications wireless customers will continue to enjoy service on Alaska's only statewide network.
• The transaction is targeted to close in the first quarter, 2015, and is subject to certain closing conditions.

GCI and Alaska Communications will notify customers with further details regarding this transition and customers do not need to take any action at this time.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News: 

General Communication, Inc.
http://www.gci.com

Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.
http://www.alaskacommunications.com

 

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