Forbes' Andrew Farrell reports that the $27.5 billion takeover of Alltel by Goldman Sachs and TPG may well result in an industry-wide boost for smaller wireless providers.

"Some smaller wireless companies could look ripe for private equity firms, especially those with a strong foothold in Suburban and rural areas like Alltel," Farrell writes. "Two received a boost Tuesday, with Dobson Communications up 39 cents, or 3.9%, to $10.51, and Rural Cellular gaining 2.0%, or 58 cents, to $30.11."

More here from the Washington Post ... more here from Reuters ... and more here from InfoWorld.