US Cellular this afternoon announced that it's launching a 4G LTE network in the first quarter of 2012, with select cities in six states getting the nod.
The markets that will initially have the LTE data, which is being provided in conjunction with King Street Wireless, are:
- Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Madison and Racine
- Iowa: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport
- Maine: Portland and Bangor
- North Carolina: Greenville.
Oklahoma and Texas will see some 4G LTE coverage as well, but USCC didn't specify which cities. Specific devices were not announced, either, but we're more than willing to bet we'll see some Android fare. Check out the full press release after the break.
U.S. CELLULAR ANNOUNCES READINESS OF 4G LTE NETWORK
Enhancement Builds on Carrier's Top Ranking for Call Quality and Network Satisfaction
CHICAGO (Nov. 4, 2011) – U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM), in conjunction with the King Street Wireless partnership, has announced the readiness of a 4G LTE network. Testing continues on the first 4G LTE devices to ensure that customers in 4G LTE markets have the best possible experience when the devices are available in the first quarter of 2012. U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier.
The initial rollout of 4G LTE service is planned for select cities in Iowa, Wisconsin, Maine, North Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma, including some of U.S. Cellular’s leading markets such as Milwaukee, Madison and Racine, Wis.; Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa; Portland and Bangor, Maine; and Greenville, N.C.
“With a 4G LTE network and cutting-edge 4G LTE devices, customers will be able to connect to their friends and family even faster and get more done when they’re away from their home or office,” said Mary N. Dillon, president and CEO of U.S. Cellular. “We’re excited to partner with King Street Wireless to bring 4G LTE speed to more customers next year that will help them be more productive. Our commitment to providing products and services that simplify and enhance customers’ lives is one of the reasons we have the happiest customers in wireless.”
U.S. Cellular customers also enjoy unique benefits, such as a valuable rewards program that recognizes customer loyalty. Customers with Belief Plans earn points for doing simple things like paying their wireless bill on time, adding a line or referring friends and family. Other benefits include new phones faster without continuously signing contracts, free Battery Swap, Overage Protection, and free incoming calls, texts and picture messages.
The 4G LTE network readiness builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier’s high-quality nationwide network. Details on future waves of 4G LTE deployment will be announced at a later date when plans are finalized.
About King Street Wireless
A wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Cellular is a limited partner in King Street Wireless, L.P. ("King Street Wireless"). King Street Wireless participated in the auction of wireless spectrum in the 700 megahertz band designated by the FCC as Auction 73 and was the winning bidder with respect to 152 licenses. These 152 license areas cover portions of 27 states and are in markets which are either adjacent to or overlap current U.S. Cellular license areas.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with unmatched benefits and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier has a strong line-up of cutting-edge devices that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network that has the highest call quality of any national carrier. U.S. Cellular was named a J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Customer Service Champion and received PC Magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Award. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.
