Verizon Wireless' rural LTE plans attract Indiana-based S and R

Verizon Wireless (VZ) continues to add names to its list of rural carrier partners interested in joining its LTE in Rural America program. The latest operator to sign on is Indiana-based S and R Communications L.L.C., which is also the first wireline operator to join the program.
S and R said that as part of the program it will lease 700 MHz spectrum assets to build out a LTE network covering the communities of Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Miami and Wabash Counties. S and R said it plans to construct a fiber and tower network within the five counties that will be compatible with Verizon Wireless’ nationwide LTE network.
”We are excited and honored to be the first landline based companies to participate in Verizon’s LTE in Rural America program,” noted Tim Mikes, president of S and R parent company Swayzee Communications Inc. “We believe we will bring a skill set and rural market understanding that will bridge the gap between wireless and small independent landline companies in our area.”
Verizon Wireless has signed up several carriers to its LTE in Rural America program, including Utah-based Strata Networks, Wisconsin-based Cellcom, Kentucky-based Bluegrass Cellular, Oklahoma-based Pioneer Cellularand Cross Telephone.
Verizon Wireless’ current LTE network covers more than 120 million potential customers, with plans to match its current CDMA footprint by the end of 2013.
The race to snag rural partners for next-generation network build outs seems to be heating up. In addition to Verizon Wireless’ LTE plans, satellite/terrestrial network operator LightSquared is also signing up rural and regional operators looking to purchase access on its LTE-based network. LightSquared has already signed agreements with Leap Wireless International Inc. and Open Range Inc.