AT&T is set to purchase cellular equipment from leading competitor Verizon’s acquisition of Alltel Wireless to improve call reception in many rural areas formerly unavailable in the carrier’s reach across 18 states.

The deal is a loose end from Verizon’s acquisition of Alltel wireless (which now puts Verizon as the largest US cellular carrier) and mandated by the FCC. While users will have to switch from CDMA based phones to GSM based devices when AT&T acquires any remaining Alltel customers, the deal is well worth it thanks to an addition of new cellular towers in areas covering 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.

Via: iPhones Talk