U.S. CELLULAR EXPANDS NETWORK NEAR KIRKSVILLE

New Tower Helps Economic Development and Public Safety.

Kirksville, Mo., - U.S. Cellular recently completed construction of a new cell site in Brashear to improve call quality for its customers. The 250-foot site will increase U.S. Cellular's coverage in the rural areas northeast of Kirksville and along Highway 11. The new site complements U.S. Cellular's statewide network of more than 800 towers. The tower was built by U.S. Cellular with the support of the federal Universal Service Fund (USF), a critical resource for wireless expansion throughout rural America.

"This part of Missouri lacked quality wireless service, and as a result, we identified the community as a priority," said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Missouri. "People everywhere depend on their cell phones to meet critical safety and everyday business needs. With this new tower, area residents will notice a stronger network while traveling through Brashear and the surrounding areas."

This new site is part of U.S. Cellular's 3G Mobile Broadband network in Missouri which allows customers to access data on their cell phones 10 times faster than before and at no additional cost. With 3G speeds, browsing the Web on a smartphone is very similar to the experience on a desktop computer. Web pages open faster, and customers can send and receive large email attachments. Downloads take less time, and picture and video messages are delivered more quickly.

In Missouri, as in other parts of rural America, first responders such as firefighters and police officers depend on wireless service to respond quickly to emergency situations. Nationwide, nearly 300,000 emergency 911 calls are placed via cell phones every day.

"We need reliable wireless service to protect the health and security of our citizens. Reliable service is also important in our efforts to retain and attract business," said Mari Macomber, City Manager. "It's a big help to us when companies like U.S. Cellular expand their networks."

In 2009, U.S. Cellular received approximately $16 million in USF support in Missouri and used this funding to bring wireless service to 22 sites in rural cities and towns across the state.

U.S. Cellular has led recent efforts to preserve federal support for rural wireless network development through Connecting Rural America, a coalition of public safety officials, economic development organizations and concerned citizens working for equality in wireless telecommunications. Its goal is to provide rural communities with the same access to wireless technology that urban communities already enjoy.

About U.S. Cellular
The 9,000 associates of U.S. Cellular believe a wireless phone enhances people's lives and a wireless company should be in the business of bringing people together. U.S. Cellular has a wide range of monthly plans, including those with unlimited nationwide calling, unlimited free incoming calls and options to prepay. The company has a growing catalog of phones like the BlackBerry® Tour and the touch-screen LG Tritan and HTC Touch Pro 2, which offer e-mail and Web access. U.S. Cellular believes in the power of the community and has made a commitment to invest more than $4.5 million in teachers and schools during 2009 and 2010. Based in Chicago, the company is the nation's sixth-largest wireless carrier, serving 6.2 million customers across the country. To learn more about the company visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. You can also check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.

0 comments:

Post a Comment