Verizon Wireless is extending its LTE service to rural customers, as part of the Verizon Wireless LTE in Rural America program. Introduced last June, the program is designed to fast-forward the delivery of 4G LTE service to rural areas.
To date, six rural carriers have announced their participation in the program and many others are in active negotiations with Verizon Wireless. Bluegrass Cellular, Cellcom, Cross Wireless, Pioneer Cellular, Strata Networks and Thumb Wireless have leased spectrum covering, in total, more than 1.8 million people and nearly 58,000 square miles in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Michigan, Wisconsin and Utah.
Through the LTE in Rural America program, Verizon Wireless works with rural companies to collaboratively build and operate a 4G LTE network in their areas using the tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless’ core 4G LTE equipment and 700 MHz spectrum. Verizon Wireless customers also will be able to roam on 4G LTE networks built by program participants.
“These agreements enable rural companies to take advantage of our scale and network infrastructure, and bring the benefits of 4G services to their customers quickly and efficiently,” said Molly Feldman, vice president of business development for Verizon Wireless. “Companies in the program are working with our regional network teams to finalize their build plans and get their networks up and running.”
Verizon Wireless launched its 4G LTE network last December in 38 markets and more than 60 commercial airports, covering one-third of all Americans. The company will expand its 4G LTE network to an additional 140 markets by the end of 2011 and plans to cover its entire 3G footprint with 4G by the end of 2013. Verizon plans to offer voice over LTE using VoLTE with rich communications services and optimize performance on its commercial 4G LTE network during 2011. Commercial services are expected to be available in 2012.
