So, I am guessing, the ATT will not be leveraging their partner networks much now.
I was in MN back then (when I took the trip). ATT was expanding then in north mid-west. Even in MN, their coverage improved between 2007-2010.
I was driving through I-90 which cuts across SD and even stayed overnight in Rapid City. I think I had good signal, which I must admit was surprising on ATT, though, I wasn't aware it was from their partner n/w backs then.
I found this incident funny, 'cos this business had the sense to know how telecoms worked, knew the law and exploited the loophole to make money :-). Sometimes, I think its just connecting the dots as Jobs said.
I was getting ready to correct you, when I researched the Alltel acquistion.
Verizon purchased Alltel, but was required by the FCC to sell off 105 of the markets, which is where ATT stepped in and bought a bunch of those markets.
FWIW, my Alltel account was switched over to Verizon in 2009.
