Document:

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                                                                 Exhibit 10.16.6
                                                                 ---------------

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of September 13,
                                        ---------
2000 (the "Effective Date"), between IWO Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
           --------------
("Holdings"), and Steven M. Nielsen (the "Optionee").
  --------                                --------

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     WHEREAS, Holdings has adopted the IWO Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan
(the "Plan"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
      ----

     WHEREAS, Optionee is an employee of Holdings, and Holdings desires to grant
the Optionee the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in Holdings to
encourage the Optionee's contribution to the success and progress of Holdings.

     WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Committee (as defined in the
Plan) has granted to the Optionee a non-qualified option to purchase shares of
Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of Holdings (the "Class B Common Stock")
                                                         --------------------
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

     WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors and the
Stockholders of Holdings.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

     1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used herein shall have the following
         -----------
meanings:

     "Act" is defined in Section 9(a).
      ---

     "Affiliate" means (a) any Person which, directly or indirectly, is in
      ---------
control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person or
(b) any Person who is a director or officer (i) of such Person, (ii) of any
subsidiary of such Person or (iii) of any Person described in clause (a) above.
For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person means the power, directly
or indirectly, (x) to vote 50% or more of the securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors of such Person whether by ownership of
securities, contract, proxy or otherwise, or (y) to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by ownership of
securities, contract, proxy or otherwise.

     "Agreement" means this Stock Option Agreement.
      ---------

     "Approved Sale" means a transaction or a series of related transactions
      -------------
other than a Designated Merger:  (i) including, but not limited to, by way of
merger or consolidation, which results in any "person" or "group" (as such terms
are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor
provisions to either of the foregoing), other than (A) any one or more of the
Initial Stockholders or Affiliates thereof or (B)  a non-U.S. entity with
respect to which an Initial Stockholder or Affiliate thereof has an
administrative relationship, becoming the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a
<PAGE>

majority of the total voting power of the capital stock of Holdings or otherwise
able to elect a majority of the board of directors of Holdings (for purposes of
this definition, such person or group shall be deemed to beneficially own
capital stock of Holdings that is held by any other corporation so long as such
person or group beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a
majority of the total capital stock of such other corporation); or (ii) which
results in the sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other
disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all the assets of
Holdings and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole (other than to an Affiliate
thereof).

     "Certificate of Incorporation" means the Amended and Restated Certificate
      ----------------------------
of Incorporation of Holdings, as amended from time to time.

     "Cause" has the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
      -----

     "Class B Common Stock" is defined in the Recitals.
      --------------------

     "Closing Date" means December 20, 1999.
      ------------

     "Daily Vesting" means vesting of the applicable portion of the Option
      --------------
proportionately for each of the days during the applicable period that the
Optionee is employed by Holdings such that if Optionee remains employed for all
of the days during such applicable period such applicable portion of the Option
shall be vested in full.

     "Designated Merger" means a transaction that results in the merger,
      -----------------
consolidation or amalgamation of Holdings with or into any Person that results
in the conversion of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Holdings into
shares of capital stock of such Person (or its Affiliate) and such Person (or
its Affiliate) has an affiliation with Sprint Spectrum L.P (or its Affiliates)
similar to the affiliation between IWO and Sprint Spectrum L.P and its
Affiliates (other than with respect to the territory covered).

     "Disability" has the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
      ----------

     "Effective Date" is defined in the preamble.
      --------------

     "Employment Agreement" means the Employment Agreement between Optionee and
      --------------------
Holdings, dated as of the date hereof, as amended from time to time.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
      ------------

     "Exercise Price" is defined in Section 2
      --------------

     "Fair Market Value" means (a) prior to an Initial Public Offering:  the
      -----------------
value of Holdings' shares determined in good faith by the Holdings' Board of
Directors.  The Board of Directors shall make its determination of Fair Market
Value annually (the "Annual Valuation") promptly after the completion of
                     ----------------
Holdings' audited financial statements for the year then completed and such
determination shall remain in effect until the Board of Directors makes the next
Annual Valuation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors or
an investment banker or appraiser appointed by Holdings makes a determination of
Fair Market Value subsequent to an

                                       2
<PAGE>

Annual Valuation, such subsequent determination shall supersede the Annual
Valuation then in effect and shall establish the Fair Market Value until the
next Annual Valuation. The Fair Market Value shall be based on an assumed sale
of 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Holdings (without reduction for
minority interest or lack of liquidity of the Option Shares or similar
discount). If such determination of the Fair Market Value is challenged by the
Optionee, the Board of Directors will select an appraiser or investment bank
with a national reputation who is independent (not an Affiliate of the parties)
(the "Appraiser") and who shall establish the Fair Market Value as of the date
of valuation referenced in the Annual Valuation or a subsequent determination.
The Appraiser's determination shall be conclusive and binding on Holdings and
Optionee. Holdings shall bear all costs incurred in connection with the services
of such Appraiser; and (b) subsequent to an Initial Public Offering: The price
of the last sale of the stock on the date Optionee exercises the Option.

     "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of Holdings.
      -----------

     "Initial Public Offering" means the sale of any of the common stock of
      -----------------------
Holdings or the issuance of common stock of any Person in exchange for 100% of
the capital stock of Holdings pursuant to a registration statement that has been
declared effective under the Act, if following such sale or exchange (i) the
issuer is a reporting company under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) such stock is traded on the New York
Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or is quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market System or is traded or quoted on any other national stock
exchange or national securities system.

     "Initial Stockholders" means the stockholders of Holdings who became
      --------------------
stockholders as of the Closing Date (including employees or directors of
Holdings or any Subsidiary who were granted options to purchase stock as of the
Closing Date) and any transferees of such stockholders described in clause (i)
or (ii) in the definition of Approved Sale.

     "Option" is defined in Section 2.
      ------

     "Optionee" is defined in the preamble.
      --------

     "Option Shares" is defined in Section 2.
      -------------

     "Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, limited liability
      ------
company, corporation, trust, unincorporated organization or a government or any
department or agency thereof.

     "Plan" is defined in recital A.
      ----

     "Retirement" means age 65.
      ----------

     "Subsidiary" means any joint venture, corporation, partnership or other
      ----------
entity as to which Holdings, whether directly or indirectly, has more than 50%
of the (i) voting rights or (ii) rights to capital or profits.

     "Termination Date" means the date on which the Optionee ceases to be
      ----------------
employed by Holdings for any reason.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     Defined terms used herein not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
given such terms in the Plan.

     2.  Grant of Option.  Holdings grants to the Optionee the right and option
         ---------------
(the "Option") to purchase, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,
      ------
all or any part of the number of shares of Class B Common Stock set forth below
the Optionee's signature below (the "Option Shares"), at the purchase price of
                                     -------------
$172.34043 per Option Share (as such amount may be adjusted, the "Exercise
                                                                  --------
Price"), on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     3.   Exercisability.
          --------------

          (a) The Option shall become exercisable on the basis of Daily Vesting
over a period of 975 days commencing May 1, 2000, provided that if the
Optionee's employment is terminated, the unexercisable portion of the Option
shall cease vesting on Termination Date.

          (b) Notwithstanding Section 3(a), upon the occurrence of an Approved
Sale, in which case the schedule set forth in Section 3(a) shall not apply to
the extent that the Option is not yet exercisable, the Optionee shall have the
right to exercise 100% of all unexercisable Options, provided that a cash
investment in Holdings at a price of $172.34043 per share would achieve a 40% or
greater annual internal rate of return (calculated on a fully diluted basis)
from the Closing Date until the date of the closing of the Approved Sale (taking
into account the Approved Sale); provided, further, that if the internal rate of
return is greater than 20% but less than 40%, a pro rata portion of the
unexercisable Options shall become exercisable to the same extent the internal
rate of return is greater than 20% but less than 40% (e.g., if the internal rate
of return is 30%, 50% of the unexercisable Options shall become exercisable).

          (c) Notwithstanding Section 3(a) and Section 3(b), upon the occurrence
of a Designated Merger:

               (i) the schedule set forth in Section 3(a) shall not apply with
          respect to 20% of the unexercisable portion of the Option (and shall
          continue to apply to the remaining 80% of the Option) and the Optionee
          shall have the right to exercise such 20% of the unexercisable portion
          of the Option; and

               (ii) if Optionee's employment is terminated by Holdings without
          Cause within 12 months following the closing of such Designated
          Merger, then the schedule set forth in Section 3(a) shall not apply
          with respect to the portion of the Option that is not yet exercisable
          and the Optionee shall have the right to exercise 100% of all
          unexercisable Options.

     4.   Expiration.
          ----------

          (a) Subject to Section 6(a), the exercisable portion of the Option
shall expire upon the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, unless:  (i) the
Optionee is terminated by Holdings with Cause, in which case the exercisable
portion of the Option will expire 90 days after the Termination Date; (ii) the
Optionee voluntarily leaves, in which case the exercisable portion of the Option
will expire 90 days after the Termination Date, provided that if the Board of
Directors determines that the Optionee left Holdings due to personal hardship,
then the

                                       4
<PAGE>

exercisable portion of the Option will expire three years after the Termination
Date; (iii) the Optionee is terminated by Holdings without Cause, in which case
the exercisable portion of the Option will expire one year after the Termination
Date; or (iv) the Optionee's employment is terminated due to death, Disability
or Retirement, in which case the exercisable portion of the Option will expire
three years after the Termination Date.

          (b) The unexercisable portion of the Option shall expire on the
earlier to occur of (i) the Termination Date (giving effect to the vesting of
such unexercisable portion in accordance with Section 3(c), if applicable), or
(ii) except to the extent provided in Section 3(b), Section 3(c) and Section
6(a), an Approved Sale or a Designated Merger.

     5.  Nontransferability.  The Option shall not be transferable by the
         ------------------
Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution except that
the Optionee may transfer the Option to (a) his or her spouse, child, estate,
personal representative, heir or successor (b) a trust for the benefit of the
Optionee or his or her spouse, child or heir, or (c) a partnership or limited
liability company the partners or members of which consist solely of the
Optionee and/or his or her spouse, children or heirs (each, a "permitted
                                                               ---------
transferee") and the Option is exercisable, during the Optionee's lifetime, only
----------
by him or her or his or her spouse or child, or, in the event of the Optionee's
Disability, his or her guardian or legal representative.  More particularly (but
without limiting the generality of the foregoing), the Option may not be
assigned, transferred (except as aforesaid), pledged or hypothecated in any way
(whether by operation of law or otherwise), and shall not be subject to
execution, attachment or similar process.  This Agreement shall be binding on
and enforceable against any person who is a permitted transferee of the Option
pursuant to the first sentence of this Section.

     6.   Effect of Approved Sale; Adjustments.
          ------------------------------------

          (a) In the event of an Approved Sale or a Designated Merger, the
unexercised portion of the Option shall terminate upon such Approved Sale or
Designated Merger unless (i) provision is made in writing in connection with
such Approved Sale or Designated Merger for the assumption of such Options, or
for the substitutions of such Options of new awards covering the securities of a
successor entity or an Affiliate thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the
number and kind of securities and exercise prices, in which event such
outstanding Options shall continue or be replaced, as the case may be, in the
manner and under the terms so provided; or (ii) the Board of Directors otherwise
shall provide in writing for such adjustments as it deems appropriate in the
terms and conditions of the then-outstanding Options, including without
limitation (A) accelerating the vesting of outstanding Options and/or (B)
providing for the cancellation of Options and their automatic conversion into
the right to receive the securities, cash or other consideration that a holder
of the shares underlying such Options would have been entitled to receive upon
consummation of such Approved Sale or Designated Merger had such shares been
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing date of the Approved
Sale or Designated Merger (net of the appropriate option exercise prices).  If
pursuant to this Section 6(a) the Options are to terminate upon an Approved Sale
or Designated Merger without provision for any of the actions described in
clause (i) or (ii) above, then the Optionee shall be given at least ten (10)
days' prior notice of the proposed Approved Sale or Designated Merger and shall
be entitled to exercise such exercisable but unexercised portion of the Option
(including all options that become exercisable immediately prior to the Approved
Sale pursuant

                                       5
<PAGE>

to Section 3(b) or the Designated Merger pursuant to Section 3(c)(i)) at any
time during such ten (10) day period up to and until the close of business on
the day immediately preceding the date of consummation of such Approved Sale or
Designated Merger, and, notwithstanding Section 7 hereof, the Exercise Price
may, at the option of the Optionee, be paid in whole or in part by delivery of
shares of the Class B Common Stock owned by the Optionee (the value of such
shares delivered as payment of the Exercise Price shall be determined based on
and consistent with the value of the consideration to be tendered in connection
with such Approved Sale or Designated Merger), and upon exercise of the Option
the Option Shares shall be treated in the same manner as the shares of any other
holder of Class B Common Stock.

          (b) Subject to Section 6(a), if the shares of the Class B Common
Stock, or to the extent it affects the economic rights of the holders of the
Class B Common Stock, shares of Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or
Class D Common Stock of Holdings, are changed into or exchanged for a different
number or kind of shares or securities, as the result of any one or more
reorganizations, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock splits, reverse
stock splits, stock dividends or similar events, an appropriate adjustment shall
be made in the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to the
Option, and the price for each share or other unit of any securities subject to
this Agreement, in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.  No fractional
interests shall be issued on account of any such adjustment unless the Committee
specifically determines to the contrary; provided, however, that in lieu of
fractional interests, the Optionee, upon the exercise of the Option in whole or
part, shall receive cash in an amount equal to the amount by which the fair
market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) of such
fractional interests exceeds the Exercise Price attributable to such fractional
interests.

     7.  Exercise of the Option.  Prior to the expiration thereof, the Optionee
         ----------------------
may exercise the exercisable portion of the Option from time to time in whole or
in part.  Upon electing to exercise the Option, the Optionee shall deliver to
the Secretary of Holdings a written and signed notice of such election setting
forth the number of Option Shares the Optionee has elected to purchase and shall
at the time of delivery of such notice tender cash or a cashier's or certified
bank check to the order of Holdings for the full Exercise Price of such Option
Shares and any amount required pursuant to Section 15 hereof.  Alternatively, if
Holdings is not at the time prohibited from purchasing or acquiring shares of
its capital stock by applicable law or under the terms of any debt or lease
facility, the Exercise Price may at the option of the Optionee be paid in whole
or in part by delivery of shares of the Class B Common Stock owned by the
Optionee provided that Optionee has owned such shares for at least six (6)
months.  The value of any such shares delivered or withheld as payment of the
Exercise Price shall be such shares' Fair Market Value.  In addition, Holdings
shall cooperate with Optionee to facilitate a sale of Option Shares through a
broker to pay the exercise price provided such sale is otherwise permitted under
this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Stockholders Agreement
or under applicable law.  The Committee further may, in its discretion, permit
payment of the Exercise Price in such other form or in such other manner as may
be permissible under the Plan and under any applicable law.

     8.  Stockholders Agreement.  The Option Shares are subject to the terms and
         ----------------------
provisions of the Stockholders Agreement (the "Stockholders Agreement") by and
                                               ----------------------
between Holdings and the Stockholders, as such term is defined in the
Stockholder Agreement, and the

                                       6
<PAGE>

Optionee shall be treated as a Class B Stockholder under the Stockholders
Agreement with respect to the Option Shares. Optionee further acknowledges that
if the issuance of the Option Shares is registered on a registration statement
on Form S-8 that has become effective under the Act, the Option Shares shall not
constitute "Registrable Stock" for purposes of the Stockholders Agreement.
Section 6 of the Stockholders Agreement shall not apply to any surrender of
Option Shares to Holdings in connection with Optionee's exercise of this Option
as contemplated by Sections 7 and 15 hereof.

     9.   Compliance with Legal Requirements.
          ----------------------------------

          (a) No Option Shares shall be issued or transferred pursuant to this
Agreement unless and until all legal requirements applicable to such issuance or
transfer have, in the opinion of counsel to Holdings, been satisfied.  Such
requirements may include, but are not limited to, registering or qualifying such
Option Shares under any state or federal law, satisfying any applicable law
relating to the transfer of unregistered securities or demonstrating the
availability of an exemption from applicable laws, placing a legend on the
Option Shares to the effect that they were issued in reliance upon an exemption
from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
                                                                     ---
may not be transferred other than in reliance upon Rule 144 or Rule 701
promulgated under the Act, if available, or upon another exemption from the Act,
or obtaining the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body.

          (b) The Optionee understands that Holdings intends for the offering
and sale of Option Shares to be effected in reliance upon Rule 701 or another
available exemption from registration under the Act and intends to file a Form
701 as appropriate, and that Holdings is under no obligation to register for
resale the Option Shares issued upon exercise of the Option, subject to other
applicable agreements or the Certificate of Incorporation.  In connection with
any such issuance or transfer, the person acquiring the Option Shares shall, if
requested by Holdings, provide information and assurances satisfactory to
counsel to Holdings with respect to such matters as Holdings reasonably may deem
desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.  Holdings
shall use its best efforts to register the exercise of the Option under a
registration statement on Form S-8 within a reasonable time following the
closing of an Initial Public Offering.  Holdings shall take reasonable steps to
cause this Agreement and the exercise of the Option granted hereunder to comply
with the exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act provided under Securities
and Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3 or any successor rule, as it may be amended
from time to time.

     10.  Subject to Certificate of Incorporation.  The Optionee acknowledges
          ---------------------------------------
that the Option Shares are subject to the terms of the Certificate of
Incorporation.

     11.  No Interest in Shares Subject to Option.  Neither the Optionee
          ---------------------------------------
(individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person
claiming under or through the Optionee shall have any right, title, interest, or
privilege in or to any shares of stock allocated or reserved for the purpose of
the Plan or subject to this Agreement except as to such Option Shares, if any,
as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of an Option or any part
thereof.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     12.  Plan Controls.  The Option hereby granted is subject to, and Holdings
          -------------
and the Optionee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the
Plan as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof, but no such amendment shall be effective as to the Option without the
Optionee's consent insofar as it may adversely affect the Optionee's rights
under this Agreement.

     13.  Not an Employment Contract.  Nothing in the Plan, in this Agreement or
          --------------------------
any other instrument executed pursuant thereto shall confer upon the Optionee
any right to continue in the employ of Holdings or any Subsidiary or shall
affect the right of Holdings or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of
the Optionee with or without Cause.

     14.  Governing Law.  All terms of and rights under this Agreement shall be
          -------------
governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
New York, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

     15.  Taxes.  The Committee may, in its discretion, make such provisions and
          -----
take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of
all federal, state, local and other taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to the issuance or exercise of the Option including, but not limited to,
deducting the amount of any such withholding taxes from any other amount then or
thereafter payable to the Optionee, requiring the Optionee to pay to Holdings
the amount required to be withheld or to execute such documents as the Committee
deems necessary or desirable to enable it to satisfy its withholding
obligations, or any other means provided in the Plan; provided further that the
Optionee may satisfy all aforesaid withholding tax obligations by directing
Holdings to withhold that number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value
equal to the amount of all federal, state, local and other taxes required to be
withheld, or delivering to Holdings such number of previously held shares of
capital stock of Holdings, which shares have been owned by the Optionee for at
least six (6) months with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the minimum
statutory amount of the federal, state, local and other taxes required to be
withheld.

     16.  Transfer Notice.  Holdings will provide the Optionee with the Transfer
          ---------------
Notice (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) delivered to Class B
Stockholders pursuant to Section 4 or Section 5 of the Certificate of
Incorporation in accordance with the terms thereof.

     17.  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications
          -------
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if personally delivered, telexed or telecopied to, or, if mailed,
when received by, the other party at the following addresses (or at such other
address as shall be given in writing by either party to the other):

     If to Holdings to:

     IWO Holdings, Inc..
     c/o Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
     200 Park Avenue, 47th Floor
     New York, New York  10166

                                       8
<PAGE>

     Attention: E. Michael Greaney, Esq.

          With a copy to:

          Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
          200 Park Avenue, 47th Floor
          New York, New York  10166-0193
          Attention: E. Michael Greaney, Esq.

     If to the Optionee to the address set forth below the Optionee's signature
below.

     18.  Amendments and Waivers.  This Agreement may be amended, and any
          ----------------------
provision hereof may be waived, only by a writing signed by the party to be
charged.

     19.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Plan and the
          ----------------
Stockholders Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
oral and written and all contemporaneous oral discussions, agreements and
understandings of any kind or nature including, without limitation, Section 3(e)
of the Employment Agreement.

     20.  Separability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement is
          ------------
declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the
extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise
deleted, and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected except to the
extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision.

     21.  Headings.  The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are
          --------
inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of
this Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

     22.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
          ------------
each of which shall be deemed an original, but which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

     23.  Further Assurances.  Each party shall cooperate and take such action
          ------------------
as may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

     24.  Remedies.  In the event of a breach by any party to this Agreement of
          --------
its obligations under this Agreement, any party injured by such breach, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Agreement.  The parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement
shall be specifically enforceable, it being agreed by the parties that the
remedy at law, including monetary damages, for breach of any such provision will
be inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     25.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
          --------------
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date.

                              IWO HOLDINGS, INC.

                              By: /s/ Solon L. Kandel
                                  -------------------

                                Name: Solon L. Kandel
                                Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                              "OPTIONEE"

                              /s/ Steven M. Nielsen
                              ---------------------
                              Name: Steven M. Nielsen
                              Address: 10 Victoria Lane, Apt. 10
                                       Del Mar, New York 12054

                       Total Number of Option Shares:  2,808.9888

                                       11<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.17.1
                                                                 ---------------

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

     THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of December 20,
                                        ---------
1999 (the "Effective Date"), between IWO Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
           --------------
("Holdings"), and J.K. Hage, III (the "Optionee").
  --------                             --------

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     WHEREAS, Holdings has adopted the IWO Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan
(the "Plan"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.
      ----

     WHEREAS, Optionee is an employee of Holdings, and Holdings desires to grant
the Optionee the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in Holdings to
encourage the Optionee's contribution to the success and progress of Holdings.

     WHEREAS, In accordance with the Plan, the Committee (as defined in the
Plan) has granted to the Optionee a non-qualified option to purchase shares of
Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of Holdings (the "Class B Common Stock")
                                                         --------------------
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

     WHEREAS, this Agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors and the
Stockholders of Holdings.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

     1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used herein shall have the following
         -----------
meanings:

     "Act" is defined in Section 9(a).
      ---

     "Affiliate" means (a) any Person which, directly or indirectly, is in
      ---------
control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person or
(b) any Person who is a director or officer (i) of such Person, (ii) of any
subsidiary of such Person or (iii) of any Person described in clause (a) above.
For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person means the power, directly
or indirectly, (x) to vote 50% or more of the securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors of such Person whether by ownership of
securities, contract, proxy or otherwise, or (y) to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by ownership of
securities, contract, proxy or otherwise.

     "Agreement" means this Stock Option Agreement.
      ---------

     "Approved Sale" means a transaction or a series of related transactions
      -------------
which results in a change of economic beneficial ownership of Holdings or its
business of greater than 50% (disregarding for this purpose any disparate voting
rights attributable to the outstanding stock of Holdings), whether pursuant to
the sale of the stock of Holdings, the sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of Holdings, or a merger or consolidation; provided that a sale of stock
by an Initial Stockholder to (i) another Initial Stockholder or Affiliate
thereof, or (ii) a non-U.S. entity
<PAGE>

with respect to which an Initial Stockholder or Affiliate thereof has an
administrative relationship shall be disregarded when determining if an Approved
Sale has occurred.

     "Certificate of Incorporation" means the Amended and Restated Certificate
      ----------------------------
of Incorporation of Holdings, as amended from time to time.

     "Cause" has the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
      -----

     "Class B Common Stock" is defined in the Recitals.
      --------------------

     "Closing Date" means December 20, 1999.
      ------------

     "Daily Vesting" means vesting of Time Vesting Options proportionately for
      -------------
each of the 1,095 days on or after January 1, 2000 that the Optionee is employed
by Holdings such that if Optionee remains employed for all 1,095 days such Time
Vesting Options shall be vested in full.  Daily vesting will commence on January
1, 2000.

     "Disability" has the meaning set forth in the Employment Agreement.
      ----------

     "Effective Date" is defined in the preamble.
      --------------

     "Employment Agreement" means the Employment Agreement between Optionee and
      --------------------
Holdings, dated as of the date hereof, as amended from time to time.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
      ------------

     "Exercise Price" is defined in Section 2.
      --------------

     "Fair Market Value" means (a) prior to an Initial Public Offering: the
      -----------------
value of Holdings' shares determined in good faith by the Holdings' Board of
Directors.  The Board of Directors shall make its determination of Fair Market
Value annually (the "Annual Valuation") promptly after the completion of
                     ----------------
Holdings' audited financial statements for the year then completed and such
determination shall remain in effect until the Board of Directors makes the next
Annual Valuation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors or
an investment banker or appraiser appointed by Holdings makes a determination of
Fair Market Value subsequent to an Annual Valuation, such subsequent
determination shall supersede the Annual Valuation then in effect and shall
establish the Fair Market Value until the next Annual Valuation.  The Fair
Market Value shall be based on an assumed sale of 100% of the outstanding
capital stock of Holdings (without reduction for minority interest or lack of
liquidity of the Option Shares or similar discount).  If such determination of
the Fair Market Value is challenged by the Optionee, the Board of Directors will
select an appraiser or investment bank with a national reputation who is
independent (not an Affiliate of the parties) (the "Appraiser") and who shall
                                                    ---------
establish the Fair Market Value as of the date of valuation referenced in the
Annual Valuation or a subsequent determination.  The Appraiser's determination
shall be conclusive and binding on Holdings and Optionee.  Holdings shall bear
all costs incurred in connection with the services of such
<PAGE>

Appraiser; and (b) subsequent to an Initial Public Offering: The price of the
last sale of the stock on the date Optionee exercises the Option.

     "Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of Holdings.
      -----------

     "Initial Public Offering" means the sale of any of the common stock of
      -----------------------
Holdings pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective
under the Act, if as a result of such sale (i) the issuer becomes a reporting
company under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and (ii) such stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange or the
American Stock Exchange, or is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System or is
traded or quoted on any other national stock exchange or national securities
system.

     "Initial Stockholders" means the stockholders of Holdings who became
      --------------------
stockholders as of the Closing Date (including employees or directors of
Holdings or any Subsidiary who were granted options to purchase stock as of the
Closing Date) and any transferees of such stockholders described in clause (i)
or (ii) in the definition of Approved Sale.

     "Option" is defined in Section 2.
      ------

     "Optionee" is defined in the preamble.
      --------

     "Option Shares" is defined in Section 2.
      -------------

     "Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, limited liability
      ------
company, corporation, trust, unincorporated organization or a government or any
department or agency thereof.

     "Plan" is defined in recital A.
      ----

     "Retirement" means age 65.
      ----------

     "Subsidiary" means any joint venture, corporation, partnership or other
      ----------
entity as to which Holdings, whether directly or indirectly, has more than 50%
of the (i) voting rights or (ii) rights to capital or profits.

     "Termination Date" means the date on which the Optionee ceases to be
      ----------------
employed by Holding for any reason.

     "Vested Option" is defined in Section 3.
      -------------

     Defined terms used herein not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
given such terms in the Plan.

     2.  Grant of Option.  Holdings grants to the Optionee the right and option
         ---------------
(the "Option") to purchase, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,
      ------
all or any part of the number of shares of Class B Common Stock set forth below
the Optionee's signature below (the
<PAGE>

"Option Shares"), at the purchase price of $172.34043 per Option Share (as such
 -------------
amount may be adjusted, the "Exercise Price"), on the terms and conditions set
                             --------------
forth herein.

     3.  Exercisability.
         --------------

          (a) The Option shall be divided into three parts for purposes of
determining exercisability.

               (i) The Option to purchase 1,666.6667 shares of Class B Common
          Stock (the "Vested Option") shall be vested immediately.
                      -------------

               (ii) The Option to purchase 11,235.9551 shares of Class B Common
          Stock (the "Time Vesting Option") shall vest as follows:  4,494.3820
                      -------------------
          Option Shares shall vest on the Effective Date and 6,741.5731 Option
          Shares shall vest on the basis of Daily Vesting over a period of three
          years commencing January 1, 2000.

          (b) Notwithstanding Section 3(a), upon the occurrence of an Approved
Sale, in which case the schedule set forth in Section 3(a) shall not apply with
respect to Time Vesting Options that are not yet exercisable, the Optionee shall
have the right to exercise 100% of all unexercisable Time Vesting Options,
provided that a cash investment in Holdings at a price of $172.34043 per share
would achieve a 40% or greater annual internal rate of return (calculated on a
fully diluted basis) from the Closing Date until the date of the closing of the
Approved Sale (taking into account the Approved Sale); provided, further, that
if the internal rate of return is greater than 20% but less than 40%, a pro rata
portion of the unexercisable Time Vesting Options shall become exercisable to
the same extent the internal rate of return is greater than 20% but less than
40% (e.g., if the internal rate of return is 30%, 50% of the unexercisable Time
Vesting Options shall become exercisable).

          (c) If Optionee is terminated by Holdings without Cause or Optionee's
employment is terminated due to death, disability or Retirement, then the
unexercisable portion of the Time Vesting Option up to the amount that would
vest over 365 days following the date of such termination without cause, death,
disability or retirement shall vest and become immediately exercisable prior to
the Termination Date.

      4.  Expiration.
          ----------

          (a) Subject to Section 6(a), the exercisable portion of the Option
shall expire upon this tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, unless: (i) the
Optionee is terminated by Holdings with Cause, in which case the exercisable
portion of the Option will expire 90 days after the Termination Date; (ii) the
Optionee voluntarily leaves, in which case the exercisable portion if the Option
will expire 90 days after the Termination Date, provided that if the Board of
Directors determines that the Optionee left Holdings due to personal hardship,
then the exercisable portion of the Option will expire three years after the
Termination Date; (iii) the Optionee is terminated by Holdings without Cause, in
which case the exercisable portion of the Option will expire three years after
the Termination Date; or (iv) the Optionee's employment is
<PAGE>

terminated due to death, Disability or Retirement, in which case the exercisable
portion of the Option will expire three years after the Termination Date.

          (b) The unexercisable portion of the Time Vesting Option shall expire
on the earlier to occur of (i) except to the extent provided in Section 3(c),
the Termination Date, or (ii) except to the extent provided in Section 6(a), an
Approved Sale.

     5.  Nontransferability.  The Option shall not be transferable by the
         ------------------
Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution except that
the Optionee may transfer the Option to (a) his or her spouse, child, estate,
personal representative, heir or successor (b) a trust for the benefit of the
Optionee or his or her spouse, child or heir, or (c) a partnership or limited
liability company the partners or members of which consist solely of the
Optionee and/or his or her spouse, children or heirs (each, a "permitted
                                                               ---------
transferee") and the Option is exercisable, during the Optionee's lifetime, only
----------
by him or her or his or her spouse or child, or, in the event of the Optionee's
Disability, his or her guardian or legal representative.  More particularly (but
without limiting the generality of the foregoing), the Option may not be
assigned, transferred (except as aforesaid), pledged or hypothecated in any way
(whether by operation of law or otherwise), and shall not be subject to
execution, attachment or similar process.  This Agreement shall be binding on
and enforceable against any person who is a permitted transferee of the Option
pursuant to the first sentence of this Section.

      6.  Effect of Approved Sale; Adjustments.
          ------------------------------------

          (a) In the event of an Approved Sale, the unexercised portion of the
Option shall terminate upon such Approved Sale unless (i) provision is made in
writing in connection with such Approved Sale for the continuance of the Plan
and for the assumption of such Options, or for the substitutions of such Options
of new awards covering the securities of a successor entity or an Affiliate
thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of securities
and exercise prices, in which event the Plan and such outstanding Options shall
continue or be replaced, as the case may be, in the manner and under the terms
so provided; or (ii) the Board of Directors otherwise shall provide in writing
for such adjustments as it deems appropriate in the terms and conditions of the
then-outstanding Options, including without limitation (A) accelerating the
vesting of outstanding Options and/or (B) providing for the cancellation of
Options and their automatic conversion into the right to receive the securities,
cash or other consideration that a holder of the shares underlying such Options
would have been entitled to receive upon consummation of such Approved Sale had
such shares been issued and outstanding immediately prior to the closing date of
the Approved Sale (net of the appropriate option exercise prices).  If pursuant
to this Section 6(a) the Options are to terminate upon an Approved Sale without
provision for any of the actions described in clause (i) or (ii) above, then the
Optionee shall be given at least ten (10) days' prior notice of the proposed
Approved Sale and shall be entitled to exercise such exercisable but unexercised
portion of the Option (including all options that become exercisable immediately
prior to the Approved Sale pursuant to Section 3(b)) at any time during such ten
(10) day period up to and until the close of business on the day immediately
preceding the date of consummation of such Approved Sale and upon exercise of
<PAGE>

the Option the Option Shares shall be treated in the same manner as the shares
of any other holder of Class B Common Stock.

          (b) Subject to Section 6(a), if the shares of the Class B Common
Stock, or to the extent it affects the economic rights of the holders of the
Class B Common Stock, shares of Class A Common Stock, Class C Common Stock or
Class D Common Stock of Holdings, are changed into or exchanged for a different
number or kind of shares or securities, as the result of any one or more
reorganizations, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, stock splits, reverse
stock splits, stock dividends or similar events, an appropriate adjustment shall
be made in the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to the
Option, and the price for each share or other unit of any securities subject to
this Agreement, in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.  No fractional
interests shall be issued on account of any such adjustment unless the Committee
specifically determines to the contrary; provided, however, that in lieu of
fractional interests, the Optionee, upon the exercise of the Option in whole or
part, shall receive cash in an amount equal to the amount by which the fair
market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) of such
fractional interests exceeds the Exercise Price attributable to such fractional
interests.

     7.  Exercise of the Option.  Prior to the expiration thereof, the Optionee
         ----------------------
may exercise the exercisable portion of the Option from time to time in whole or
in part.  Upon electing to exercise the Option, the Optionee shall deliver to
the Secretary of Holdings a written and signed notice of such election setting
forth the number of Option Shares the Optionee has elected to purchase and shall
at the time of delivery of such notice tender cash or a cashier's or certified
bank check to the order of Holdings for the full Exercise Price of such Option
Shares and any amount required pursuant to Section 15 hereof.  Alternatively, if
Holdings is not at the time prohibited from purchasing or acquiring shares of
its capital stock by applicable law or under the terms of any debt or lease
facility, the Exercise Price may at the option of the Optionee be paid in whole
or in part by delivery of shares of the Class B Common Stock owned by the
Optionee provided that Optionee has owned such shares for at least six (6)
months.  The value of any such shares delivered or withheld as payment of the
Exercise Price shall be such shares' Fair Market Value.  In addition, Holdings
shall cooperate with Optionee to facilitate a sale of Option Shares through a
broker to pay the exercise price provided such sale is otherwise permitted under
this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Stockholders Agreement
or under applicable law.  The Committee further may, in its discretion, permit
payment of the Exercise Price in such other form or in such other manner as may
be permissible under the Plan and under any applicable law.

     8.  Stockholders Agreement.  The Option Shares are subject to the terms and
         ----------------------
provisions of the Stockholders Agreement (the "Stockholders Agreement") by and
                                               ----------------------
between Holdings and the Stockholders, as such term is defined in the
Stockholder Agreement, and the Optionee shall be treated as a Class B
Stockholder under the Stockholders Agreement with respect to the Option Shares.
Optionee further acknowledges that if the issuance of the Option Shares is
registered on a registration statement on Form S-8 that has become effective
under the Act, the Option Shares shall not constitute "Registrable Stock" for
purposes of the Stockholders Agreement.  Section 6 of the Stockholders Agreement
shall not apply to any surrender of Option
<PAGE>

Shares to Holdings in connection with Optionee's exercise of this Option as
contemplated by Sections 7 and 15 hereof.

      9.  Compliance with Legal Requirements.
          ----------------------------------

          (a) No Option Shares shall be issued or transferred pursuant to this
Agreement unless and until all legal requirements applicable to such issuance or
transfer have, in the opinion of counsel to Holdings, been satisfied.  Such
requirements may include, but are not limited to, registering or qualifying such
Option Shares under any state or federal law, satisfying any applicable law
relating to the transfer of unregistered securities or demonstrating the
availability of an exemption from applicable laws, placing a legend on the
Option Shares to the effect that they were issued in reliance upon an exemption
from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and
                                                                     ---
may not be transferred other than in reliance upon Rule 144 or Rule 701
promulgated under the Act, if available, or upon another exemption from the Act,
or obtaining the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body.

          (b) The Optionee understands that Holdings intends for the offering
and sale of Option Shares to be effected in reliance upon Rule 701 or another
available exemption from registration under the Act and intends to file a Form
701 as appropriate, and that Holdings is under no obligation to register for
resale the Option Shares issued upon exercise of the Option, subject to other
applicable agreements or the Certificate of Incorporation.  In connection with
any such issuance or transfer, the person acquiring the Option Shares shall, if
requested by Holdings, provide information and assurances satisfactory to
counsel to Holdings with respect to such matters as Holdings reasonably may deem
desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements.  Holdings
shall use its best efforts to register the exercise of the Option under a
registration statement on Form S-8 within a reasonable time following the
closing of an Initial Public Offering.  Holdings shall take reasonable steps to
cause this Agreement and the exercise of the Option granted hereunder to comply
with the exemption from Section 16 of the Exchange Act provided under Securities
and Exchange Commission Rule 16b-3 or any successor rule, as it may be amended
from time to time.

     10.  Subject to Certificate of Incorporation.  The Optionee acknowledges
          ---------------------------------------
that the Option Shares are subject to the terms of the Certificate of
Incorporation.

     11.  No Interest in Shares Subject to Option.  Neither the Optionee
          ---------------------------------------
(individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person
claiming under or through the Optionee shall have any right, title, interest, or
privilege in or to any shares of stock allocated or reserved for the purpose of
the Plan or subject to this Agreement except as to such Option Shares, if any,
as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of an Option or any part
thereof.

     12.  Plan Controls.  The Option hereby granted is subject to, and Holdings
          -------------
and the Optionee agree to be bound by, all of the terms and conditions of the
Plan as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof, but no such amendment shall be effective as to the Option without the
Optionee's consent insofar as it may adversely affect the Optionee's rights
under this Agreement.
<PAGE>

     13.  Not an Employment Contract.  Nothing in the Plan, in this Agreement or
          --------------------------
any other instrument executed pursuant thereto shall confer upon the Optionee
any right to continue in the employ of Holdings or any Subsidiary or shall
affect the right of Holdings or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of
the Optionee with or without Cause.

     14.  Governing Law.  All terms of and rights under this Agreement shall be
          -------------
governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
New York, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

     15.  Taxes.  The Committee may, in its discretion, make such provisions and
          -----
take such steps as it may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of
all federal, state, local and other taxes required by law to be withheld with
respect to the issuance or exercise of the Option including, but not limited to,
deducting the amount of any such withholding taxes from any other amount then or
thereafter payable to the Optionee, requiring the Optionee to pay to Holdings
the amount required to be withheld or to execute such documents as the Committee
deems necessary or desirable to enable it to satisfy its withholding
obligations, or any other means provided in the 4 Plan; provided further that
the Optionee may satisfy all aforesaid withholding tax obligations by directing
Holdings to withhold that number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value
equal to the amount of all federal, state, local and other taxes required to be
withheld, or delivering to Holdings such number of previously held shares of
capital stock of Holdings, provided that Optionee has owned such shares for at
least six (6) months with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the minimum
statutory amount of the federal, state, local and other in taxes required to be
withheld.

     16.  Transfer Notice.  Holdings will provide the Optionee with the Transfer
          ---------------
Notice (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) delivered to Class B
Stockholders pursuant to Section 4 or Section 5 of the Certificate of
Incorporation in accordance with the terms thereof

     17.  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications
          -------
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if personally delivered telexed or telecopied to, or, if mailed, when
received by, the other party at the following addresses (or at such other
address as shall be given in writing by either party to the other):

     If to Holdings to:

          IWO Holdings, Inc.
          c/o Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
          200 Park Avenue, 47th Floor
          New York, New York 10166
          Attention: E. Michael Greaney, Esq.

          With a copy to:

          Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
          200 Park Avenue, 47th Floor
          New York, New York 10166-0193
          Attention: E. Michael Greaney, Esq.
<PAGE>

     If to the Optionee to the address set forth below the Optionee's signature
below.

     18.  Amendments and Waivers.  This Agreement may be amended, and any
          ----------------------
provision hereof may be waived, only by a writing signed by the party to be
charged.

     19.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Plan and the
          ----------------
Stockholders Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties as to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
oral and written and all contemporaneous oral discussions, agreements and
understandings of any kind or nature including, without limitation, Section 3(e)
of the Employment Agreement.

     20.  Separability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement is
          ------------
declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of
competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the
extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise
deleted, and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected except to the
extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision.

     21.  Headings.  The headings preceding the text of the sections hereof are
          --------
inserted solely f r convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of
this Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

     22.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
          ------------
each of which shall be deemed an original, but which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

     23.  Further Assurances.  Each party shall cooperate and take such action
          ------------------
as may be reasonably requested by another party in order to carry out the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement.

     24.  Remedies.  In the event of a breach by any party to this Agreement of
          --------
its obligations under this Agreement, any party injured by such breach, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Agreement.  The parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement
shall be specifically enforceable, it being agreed by the parties that the
remedy at law, including monetary damages, for breach of any such provision will
be inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived.

     25.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
          --------------
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns.
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date.
                              IWO HOLDINGS, INC.

                              By: /s/ Solon L. Kandel
                                  -------------------
                              Name: Solon L. Kandel
                              Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                              "OPTIONEE"

                              /s/ J.K. Hage III
                              -----------------
                              Name: J.K. Hage, III
                              Address:

                         Number of Vested Option Shares: 1,666.6667
                         Number of Time Vesting Option Shares: 11,235.9551

                         Total Number of Option Shares: 12,902.6218

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