Vanguard Cellular

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Vanguard Cellular was a cellular carrier formed in 1984 by Steve Leeolou, Haynes Griffin, Rich Preyor and Chuck Hagel. It was the largest independent non-wireline cellular carrier in the 1990's. Vanguard was acquired in 1999 by AT&T Wireless, which was later acquired by Cingular Wireless, now the new AT&T. At its peak over 2000 people were employed at Vanguard. Vanguard headquarters was in Greensboro, NC, USA.

Vanguard Cellular operated cellular systems in Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida and owned interests in other systems throughout the United States and internationally. Vanguard initially deployed Nortel AMPS technology, and later migrated to TDMA, also known as D-AMPS.

Founder Steve Leeolou is currently CEO at Conterra Ultra Broadband in Charlotte, NC which employs several former Vanguard employees. Haynes Griffin went on to form Frontline Wireless and is CEO.


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