-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 I/25uX/hpwObQAudPcYUxbTqQJI32BjxALsVYE8Y5IffH+Eb25XU6ybspr0MLpMg
 qDZa23r02qeZkMIxTa97bw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-05-010329.txt : 20050216
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-05-010329.hdr.sgml : 20050216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050216183257
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-05-010329
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050216
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050216

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:			FERCHAT ROBERT A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188122

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27455
		FILM NUMBER:		05622063

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4089 SUMMIT COURT
		STREET 2:		MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO
		CITY:			CANADA
		STATE:			A6
		ZIP:			L5L3C2
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c92299_02raf.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-02-15</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188122</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FERCHAT ROBERT A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>AIRGATE PCS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>233 PEACHTREE STREET, NE, SUITE 1700</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30303</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-qualified Employee Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>44.65</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-02-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-qualified Employee Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.30</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-03-04</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>628</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>628</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Disposed of pursuant to merger agreement between issuer, Alamosa Holdings, Inc. and A-Co. Merger Sub, Inc. in exchange for $36.62 per share of AirGate common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These Non-Qualified Stock Options were granted on February 26, 2002 pursuant to the AirGate PCS, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Long Term Incentive Plan (the &quot;2002 LTIP) and the AirGate PCS, Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These options provided for vesting in the amount of 100% of the total grant on the first anniversary of the grant date. The options were cancelled in the merger between the issuer and A-Co. Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alamosa Holdings, Inc., for no consideration.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These Non-Qualified Stock Options were granted on March 4, 2003 pursuant to the 2002 LTIP and the AirGate PCS, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These options provided for vesting in the amount of 100% of the total grant on the first anniversary of the grant date.  The options were cancelled in the merger in exchange for a cash payment of $52,980.00, representing the number of shares subject to the option times the difference between the exercise price of the option and the average closing price of Alamosa common stock for the ten trading days prior to the merger multiplied by 2.87 ($36.62 per share).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Convertible into the issuer's common stock on a 1-for-1 basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">These Restricted Stock Units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) were scheduled to vest on April 8, 2005, subject certain conditions as detailed in the AirGate PCS, Inc. Director Compensation Plan.  On February 7, 2005, the Company's board of directors approved the full acceleration of vesting of these RSUs, effective immediately prior to the closing of the merger on February 15, 2005.  The RSUs were cancelled in the merger in exchange for a cash payment of $22,997.36, representing the number of RSUs times the average closing price of Alamosa common stock for the ten trading days prior to the merger multiplied by 2.87 ($36.62 per share).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">None.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert A. Ferchat</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----