LITTLE ROCK, Ark.-Verizon Wireless said it plans to expand its nationwide network into Little Rock, Ark., beginning Nov. 1. As part of the expansion, the carrier said it will spend up to $200 million to build 280 cell sites in central Arkansas, with 107 of those cell sites completed when the network launches.
Verizon Wireless acquired 10 megahertz of spectrum in the 1.9 GHz spectrum band covering central Arkansas last year from American Wireless License Group L.L.C. for $7.75 million.
The carrier picked up an additional 5 megahertz of spectrum covering Little Rock, 10 megahertz covering Fayetteville and Fort Smith, and 15 megahertz covering Russellville from Leap Wireless International Inc. earlier this month as part of a larger deal that included 23 spectrum licenses for $102.5 million.
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Following the expansion, Verizon Wireless said it will provide native coverage in 98 of the nation’s top 100 markets, with Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla., as the only top 100 markets where it will not offer service. In both those markets, Verizon Wireless controls 10 megahertz of spectrum that it acquired from NextWave Telecom Inc. and picked up an additional 10 megahertz of spectrum in Oklahoma City for $34 million during the recent Federal Communications Commission Auction 58.
Verizon Wireless currently offers roaming service in Little Rock through an extensive agreement with regional operator Alltel Corp.