Pioneer Cellular became the second publicly announced operator to participate in Verizon Wireless' (NYSE:VZ) LTE in Rural America program, which is designed to bring Verizon's LTE service to rural parts of the country. Kentucky's Bluegrass Cellular announced a similar deal with Verizon in November.
Under the agreement, Verizon Wireless will lease to Pioneer its 700 MHz upper C block spectrum in the Pioneer service areas in western and southern Oklahoma. Using the leased spectrum, Pioneer will build and operate its own LTE network and serve its own customers, Verizon Wireless customers and customers of the other rural operators that make LTE deals with Verizon. In addition, Pioneer customers will have access to Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network throughout the U.S.
Verizon rolled out LTE in 38 markets and 60 airports Dec. 5.
For more:
- see this release
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