The regional carrier iWireless said it has completed the first phase of its LTE rollout "in major and secondary markets" in its home state of Iowa.
The affiliate of T-Mobile announced LTE service in markets including Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities area, as well as along segments of I-80 and I-380. Nearly 300 LTE sites were part of the first phase of the build-out, iWireless said, and 100 more sites are expected to launch in 2016.
The operator also touted its roaming partnership with T-Mobile (NYSE:TMUS), providing its customers with roaming access to a nationwide LTE network.
Nokia (NYSE:NOK) teamed with iWireless to build the LTE network, which will cover a population of 2 million upon completion. The carrier said it is investing more than $35 million to enhance its network in Iowa.
The T-Mobile affiliate announced plans to build the LTE network earlier this year at the Competitive Carriers Association Global Expo in Atlanta. The carrier had hoped to have its first LTE markets go live by the end of the third quarter.
T-Mobile shares ownership of iWireless with the company Iowa Network Services, a consortium of independent telecoms in the state.
For more:
- see this iWireless press release
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