MacRumors.com

Serving as welcome news to critics of AT&T's network (especially as the iPhone launches), AT&T has announced a deal to acquire Dobson Communications, which owns Cellular One.

Cellular One has a large rural network in Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, and uses the same GSM/EDGE technology that AT&T uses.

"This acquisition is an excellent fit for AT&T," said [Stan Sigman, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility]. "We've worked with Dobson for years. It's a good company, with great people, the same GSM/EDGE technology and coverage that dovetails almost perfectly with our own. We welcome the opportunity to serve Dobson's customers and look forward to a smooth transition thanks to Dobson's strong leadership and employee team."