-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 b1L1RrE+aKX126vvdmaZPw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001086844-04-000073.txt : 20040412
<SEC-HEADER>0001086844-04-000073.hdr.sgml : 20040412
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040412162544
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001086844-04-000073
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040408
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040412

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AIRGATE PCS INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001086844
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813]
		IRS NUMBER:				582422929
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		233 PEACHTREE ST NE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1700
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4045257272

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		233 PEACHTREE ST
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1700
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOPPER MAX D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001016003

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27455
		FILM NUMBER:		04728790

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1950 STEMMONS FWY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 5001
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75207
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2142901995

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2200 E. GOLF ROAD
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			DES PLAINES
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60016
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>hopper4_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-08</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001086844</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AIRGATE PCS INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PCSA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001016003</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOPPER MAX D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1950 STEMMONS FWY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 5001</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75207</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-04-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These Restricted Stock Units are granted pursuant to the AirGate PCS, Inc. Director Compensation Plan (the &quot;Director Plan&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">1 for 1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These Restricted Stock Units vest on April 8, 2005, subject to certain conditions as detailed in the Director Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">None.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mary Love Sullenberger, Attorney-in-Fact for Max D. Hopper</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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