Rural wireless provider Cellular South said it has added more than 100 cell sites since last September as part of the planned expansion of its CDMA2000 1x-based network, which is an overlay of its legacy TDMA network. The carrier noted that with the recent overlay of its Alabama and Florida networks, its 1x network now provides seamless coverage from Memphis, Tenn.; Mississippi; coastal Alabama and the Florida panhandle to Walton County.
In connection with the overlay, Cellular South said it has launched a new marketing campaign to encourage customers to migrate to the 1x-based services and reported that customers using its legacy TDMA network had dropped from 46 percent during the third quarter of last year to 27 percent during the first quarter of 2004.
“We’ve added towers and cell sites in strategic locations throughout our region-focusing on improving existing service and providing service where the national carriers won’t,” said Hu Meena, president of Cellular South. “Most national wireless companies won’t extend their networks into some of the rural areas we serve, but the new towers fit nicely into our long-term plans for growth.”
Cellular South noted those long-term plans include a flat-rate unlimited calling plan that includes unlimited text messaging services and plans for BREW-based wireless data services scheduled to launch during the third quarter.
“We’re adding data and keeping network quality, which is most important to our customers,” Meena added.
