AT&T has completed its acquisition of wireless assets from Verizon Wireless, which Verizon agreed to give up to gain regulatory approval of its acquisition of Alltel.

AT&T says the transaction enhances its wireless network coverage in primarily rural areas in 79 service areas across 18 states, including: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

"Mobile broadband is changing how we live our lives and transforming every sector of business, and AT&T is leading the way," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "We’re excited that with this acquisition, AT&T will bring the benefits of mobile broadband to new subscribers."

Over 12 months, AT&T will launch service on a market-by-market basis as network integration is completed. The company says that there are no changes to customers’ phone numbers rate plans, network coverage, customer service contacts processes for making monthly bill payments…for now.

As the network integration occurs, AT&T customers will be able to select a device "comparable" to their existing device at no additional cost, or they may choose to upgrade, and existing contracts will not be affected.