Great news, U.S. Cellular customers! Not only is today Friday (as of this writing, anyway), but we've got some exciting news about your carrier's network that'll make 2011 a pretty exciting year for those of you with a need for speed. U.S. Cellular today announced that it intends to launch its 4G LTE coverage in 24 different markets by the time that the holiday season rolls around later this year. A definitive list of all of the areas that'll be getting the LTE treatment wasn't provided, but U.S. Cellular did say that Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, Iowa; Portland and Bangor, Maine; Greenville, N.C.; and Milwaukee, Madison and Racine, Wisc. will be part of the initial roll out. Additionally, the carrier confirmed that it'll launch a "portfolio" of LTE-capable devices during the initial deployment of its 4G network.
It's not terribly surprising that U.S. Cellular is planning to launch an LTE network, but this news is still pretty exciting to hear. Of course, there's still a lot of details up in the air, like exactly when the roll out will begin and what kinds of devices will be available when it does kick off, but you can bet that we'll fill you all in when we learn more. Stay tuned!
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.
About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular rewards its customers with the unmatched benefits of The Belief Project, an array of industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Belief Project, named Frost & Sullivan's Customer Value Enhancement of the Year, complements the Chicago-based carrier's growing catalog of cutting-edge phones that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network. U.S. Cellular was recently named a J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Customer Service Champion and was also named one of Forbes Magazine's 2010 "Most Trustworthy Companies." 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.
