U.S. Cellular to launch LTE network ‘in time for holidays’

General

Regional wireless provider U.S. Cellular has officially thrown its hat into the 4G ring. “U.S. Cellular, in conjunction with its partnership with King Street Wireless, announced today that it will deliver high-speed 4G LTE services and 4G-enabled devices to more than 25 percent of its customers across two dozen markets in time for the holiday season,” declares the company’s press release. U.S. Cellular plans to have LTE-enabled devices in market “during the first phase of its 4G LTE rollout” with additional devices populating the carrier’s lineup in 2012. Milwaukee, Madison and Racine, Wisconsin; Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa; Portland and Bangor, Maine; and Greenville, North Carolina will be among the first markets to be covered by the new, high-speed network. The full press release is after the break.

U.S. CELLULAR TO LAUNCH 4G LTE SERVICE AND DEVICES IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

CHICAGO (May 6, 2011) – U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM), in conjunction with its partnership with King Street Wireless, announced today that it will deliver high-speed 4G LTE services and 4G-enabled devices to more than 25 percent of its customers across two dozen markets in time for the holiday season. U.S. Cellular customers with 4G LTE devices and service will experience significantly faster data speeds when browsing the web, accessing e-mail, playing games and viewing and streaming videos.

The initial rollout of 4G LTE service for U.S. Cellular, which has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier, is planned for selected cities in Iowa, Wisconsin, Maine, North Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma. These include 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 4G LTE, our customers will have faster connections to the people, information and entertainment that enhance their lives and help them stay organized,” said Mary N. Dillon, president and CEO of U.S. Cellular. “In addition to our line-up of cutting-edge devices, customers who switch to U.S. Cellular get unique benefits like faster phone upgrades without continuously signing contracts, and join the happiest customers in wireless.”

U.S. Cellular plans to introduce a portfolio of 4G-enabled devices during the first phase of its 4G LTE deployment and will continue to expand its offering through 2012. The rollout builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier’s high-quality nationwide network. More details on the next phases of the company’s 4G LTE deployment will be announced at a later date.

10 Comments
  • LookLively

    1. Because everyone knows you can’t call Mom without 4G.
    2. Because all 30 US Cellular customers deserve the best.
    3. Because the real money is to be made in markets like Milwaukee and Des Moines.
    4. Because US Cellular isn’t the rock bottom of cellphone carriers.

    • Anonymous

      Yeah, rock bottom. We’ll see if US Cellular or AT&T get their LTE networks up and running first…

  • Face

    US Cellular was awesome…when they were Prime-co about 15 years ago.

    Audiovox PCX1000 4Life!!!

  • Anonymous

    They can actually roam on Verizon so AT&T is way more a regional carrier then US Cell is. :)

  • JustCurtis

    i like how the announcement came from Chicago, and Chicago is US Cell’s number one market, but Chicago isn’t on the list of LTE roll outs

  • Anonymous

    USCC is just slowly circling the drain until they’re bought out by someone.

    • Anonymous

      They’re actually doing quite well, here in Wisconsin at least. But I agree they’ll be bought out.

  • Musette

    Based on some of the comments, I get the impression that many people hate the fact that regional, smaller carriers exist. Why is this?

    • Anonymous

      People think bigger is better. I’m a tethering smartphone user and switched to them last year. I get faster 3G, a cheaper plan, and great service everywhere I go (I live in a major city). Also, the couple stores I went into were awesome. Low pressure, friendly. They give you free batteries, no contracts after you do one, and tons of other cool stuff.

      Maybe these guys are masochists?

  • Allen Walker

    What’s a US Cellular?

    Sounds like some kind of bad idea..

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