
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 25, 1995                   TAG: 9508250090
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CELLULAR FIRM BUYS VA. SYSTEM

United States Cellular of Chicago said Thursday it has bought a cellular system serving Smyth, Wythe and Grayson counties from Centennial Cellular Corp.

The acquisition is the company's second in Western Virginia in the past two weeks.

On Aug. 15, it said it had bought Cellular One's systems in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Charlottesville from Centennial Cellular.

Roanoke will become the headquarters for U.S. Cellular's Virginia operations.

Before the recent acquisitions, the company had served Covington, Lexington, Bedford County, Franklin County, Martinsville, South Boston and Farmville.

Al Ruscito, the new manager for U.S. Cellular in Virginia, said its service in Smyth, Wythe and Grayson will begin in a few weeks and the company will invest in new transmission sites and retail locations.

"We look forward to announcing some exciting changes," he said.

U.S. Cellular manages and invests in cellular systems throughout the country.

It provides service to more than 588,000 customers in 148 company-owned markets and 60 other markets in which it holds an interest.

by CNB