The fifth-largest carrier in the U.S. is expanding its LTE reach with plans to add more than 1,200 new sites this year in partnership with King Street Wireless. In addition, U.S. Cellular says it will expand its existing LTE service, which already covers roughly 90% of its 304,000 customers.
Chicago-based U.S. Cellular is bringing its LTE coverage to Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and North Carolina and bringing additional LTE service to areas in Iowa, Illinois, Maine, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. “This network expansion brings fast 4G LTE speeds to areas that other carriers ignore, and we will continue to provide our customers the best-in-class network, devices and technology that gives them access to experiences that enrich their lives,” said Michael S. Irizarry, executive vice president and chief technology officer at U.S. Cellular.
King Street Wireless is U.S. Cellular’s spectrum patner. King Steet is a Virginia firm that holds 152 licenses of 700 MHz spectrum in 27 states, making it one of the top ten spectrum holders in the United States. King Street’s President is Allison Cryor DiNardo, who manages a total of four companies that hold wireless spectrum.
Earlier this week, U.S. Cellular announced no-contract pricing, and incentives for customers who abandon their current contracts. Following the lead of T-Mobile U.S. and Sprint, U.S. Cellular said it will offer smartphones for no money down followed by 24 monthly payments. For a limited time it will also send $350 debit cards to people who terminate a contract with another carrier in order to switch to U.S. Cellular.
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