Powertel

Powertel was a brand name used by various telecommunications companies, primarily in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It generally referred to cellular phone service providers. The name was often associated with companies offering services using digital cellular technologies like GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications).

Specifically, Powertel was associated with the following:

• Powertel, Inc.: A former U.S. cellular telephone company. It was acquired by VoiceStream Wireless in 1999, which was subsequently acquired by Deutsche Telekom and rebranded as T-Mobile USA. Powertel's operating territory was primarily in the Southeastern United States. The company's history includes an IPO and significant growth during the burgeoning cellular market.

• Other regional providers: The "Powertel" name may have been adopted by smaller regional providers offering cellular services, although these were less prominent than Powertel, Inc.

After the acquisition of Powertel, Inc. by VoiceStream/T-Mobile USA, the Powertel brand name gradually disappeared from the market as T-Mobile consolidated its branding strategy. The term is now largely historical and refers to a specific period in the evolution of the U.S. cellular telephone industry.