-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 APJy6Y6yboB7DiTgVkfrsQ9Csm4v8oj/50jfzKkZqdHecHskDhTXdcSbDJyaBrxz
 SWF87IkYjpZLN1VxJ9F6yQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-05-010336.txt : 20050216
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-05-010336.hdr.sgml : 20050216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050216183626
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-05-010336
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:			DOUGHERTY THOMAS M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001186419

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27455
		FILM NUMBER:		05622073

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		AIRGATE PCS INC
		STREET 2:		233 PEACHTREE ST NE STE. 1700
		CITY:			ATLANTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30303
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>boc92299_03tmd.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>0001186419</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOUGHERTY THOMAS M</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>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </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>3256</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>
        <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>15486</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>see footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-qualified Employee Stock Options (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.10</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-12-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</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="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.93</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>75000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F6"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-04-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>75000</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="F7"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>D</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F9"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</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 the 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">Represents 15,000 shares held jointly with his spouse, 130 shares held by his children, 216 shares held in his 401(k) account and 140 shares held through the AirGate PCS, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These Non-Qualified Stock Options were granted on December 17, 2002 pursuant to the terms of the AirGate PCS, Inc. Amended and Restated 2002 Long Term Incentive Plan (the &quot;2002 LTIP&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">This option provided for vesting in the amount of 25% of the total grant on each anniversary of the grant date.   On February 7, 2005, the Company's board of directors approved the full acceleration of vesting of these options, effective immediately prior to the closing of the merger on February 15, 2005 between the issuer and A-Co. Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alamosa Holdings, Inc.  The option was cancelled in the merger in exchange for a cash payment of $325,200.00, 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="F5">These Non-Qualified Stock Options were granted on April 8, 2004 pursuant to the terms of the 2002 LTIP.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">This option provided for vesting in the amount of 25% of the total grant on each anniversary of the grant date, beginning April 8, 2005. On February 7, 2005, the Company's board of directors approved the full acceleration of vesting of these options, effective immediately prior to the closing of the merger on February 15, 2005.  The option was cancelled in the merger in exchange for a cash payment of $1,551,750.00, 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="F7">Convertible into the issuer's common stock on a 1-for-1 basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">These Restricted Stock Units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) were scheduled to vest on April 8, 2007, subject to the achievement of certain performance objectives as detailed in the 2002 LTIP. On February 7, 2005, the Company's board of directors approved the full acceleration of vesting of the 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 $915,500.00, 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="F9">None.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas M. Dougherty</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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