



                                                              Exhibit 99.1 
  
  
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         Contact: 
                               David K. Sentman 
                               Senior Vice President and 
                                 Chief Financial Officer 
                               American Telecasting, Inc. 
                               Tel. (719) 260-5533 
  
  
        AMERICAN TELECASTING, INC. SETS RECORD DATE FOR STOCKHOLDERS
            MEETING TO VOTE ON ACQUISITION BY  SPRINT CORPORATION 
  
  
      Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 19, 1999.  American Telecasting, Inc.
 ("ATI") (OTC Bulletin Board:  ATEL) announced today that the ATI board of
 directors has set May 24, 1999 as the record date for the special meeting
 of ATI stockholders to vote on the acquisition of ATI by Sprint
 Corporation.  The special meeting will be held on June 25, 1999.
       
      The signing of the proposed agreement and plan of merger, pursuant to
 which Sprint Corporation would acquire ATI, was announced on April 27,
 1999. 
  
      All statements contained herein that are not historical fact are based
 on current expectations.  These statements are forward-looking and involve
 a number of risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ materially. 
 All such statements should be considered with regard to the risk factors
 described in ATI's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
 Commission.  ATI cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such
 forward-looking statement, which statements speak only as of the date made. 
  
                          * * * * * 
  
      American Telecasting, Inc. is one of the largest operators of wireless
 cable television systems in the United States, serving approximately
 102,400 video subscribers in 32 markets as of March 31, 1999.  ATI also
 provides commercial high-speed Internet access in three markets and is a
 leader in testing MDS wireless broadband access services.  ATI's wireless
 services use microwave frequencies licensed by the Federal Communications
 Commission. 



