McCaw Cellular Communications 1986 Crewneck Sweatshirt

Founded in Redmond, Washington in 1986, McCaw Cellular Communications was a cellular telephone pioneer that had been laying the groundwork for a cellular empire since 1981 while operating as a cable TV provider. Savvy licensing of cellular spectrum in the early '80s put McCaw Cellular in an extremely strong position, quickly outpacing the growth of the "Baby Bells" in the emerging market. Key acquisitions of mobile businesses gave them widespread access in all of the major US markets. In 1990, McCaw owned the first truly national cellular system. A national telecommunications company purchased 33% of the company in 1992, and arranged a merger in 1994 that absorbed McCaw Cellular Communications.