Pioneer Cellular joins Verizon Wireless' LTE program

Verizon Wireless (VZ) attracted another rural operator to its LTE in Rural America program with Oklahoma-based Pioneer Cellular announcing it will lease upper C-Block 700 MHz spectrum from Verizon Wireless to construct a LTE network in the Pioneer service areas where Verizon Wireless has not constructed a network.
Pioneer said it will construct and operate a LTE network in western and southern Oklahoma to serve both its own customers as well as those of Verizon Wireless and other carriers participating in the program. In turn, Pioneer will have access to Verizon Wireless’ LTE network across the country for roaming. Pioneer current offers CDMA-based services across 37 counties in Oklahoma and 14 counties in Kansas.
Pioneer’s decision to join Verizon Wireless’ LTE in Rural America program follows a similar decision last month by Kentucky-based Bluegrass Cellular.
Verizon Wireless initiated the program as a way to hasten the deployment of LTE services across its 700 MHz spectrum holdings covering the entire country. The carrier has already begun its own roll out of LTE services, having launched in 39 markets and dozens of airport locations earlier this month.
Verizon Wireless has said it plans to cover its entire CDMA footprint of more than 285 million potential customers with LTE services using its 700 MHz spectrum by the end of 2013.
The program has rubbed a section of the rural industry the wrong way as a number of smaller carriers have themselves purchased lower-band 700 MHz spectrum that they claim could result in devices and equipment that are not interoperable between the networks.
Verizon Wireless also earlier this month called for the dismissal of a filing with the Federal Communications Commission asking that the government require interoperable equipment and networks be made for the 700 MHz spectrum band.