BellSouth Corp is stepping up its interests in the wireless business in both the US and the UK, having signed a definitive agreement to buy the RAM Broadcasting Corp. RAM Broadcasting was BellSouth’s partner in both operations. In the US, BellSouth owned 49% of RAM Mobile Data USA, with RAM Broadcasting making up most of the rest. In the UK, Bellsouth owned 45% on its own with the majority shareholders being a joint partnership equally divided between BellSouth and RAM Broadcasting. The deal which is subject to FCC approval, will see BellSouth taking control of its RAM Mobile Data USA business as well as gaining total ownership of RAM Mobile Data Limited, the UK-based wireless data operation. In the RAM Mobile Data USA provides digital two-way wireless data communications covering 93% of the urban business population in the US. The service is based on Ericsson Mobitex technology. According to BellSouth, although the company would not disclose the value of the deal it said the amount was not significant. BellSouth said it would be reviewing all aspects of the RAM business and that its expects to step up investment in the operation.
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