Western Wireless has aggressively sought to receive part of the new federal funds.

Still, Western Wireless is pressing forward with its business in Haiti and several other countries.

The experience of companies like Western Wireless shows how third world areas are adopting some technologies faster than others.

At its peak in 2004, Western Wireless provided service to 1.4 million domestic subscribers.

Western Wireless became a publicly traded company in 1996.

Alltel will also assume about $1.5 billion in debt from Western Wireless.

One company he likes, Western Wireless, closed on Friday at $11 - near its 52-week low of $10.125.

These forces will probably force smaller carriers like Western Wireless to seek deals.

Western Wireless, he said, could be taking a "cost avoidance" strategy by selling itself rather spending more money to upgrade its networks.

Even before the jump in its shares yesterday, Western Wireless's stock was trading at a three-year high.