Bluegrass Cellular to Participate in Verizon Wireless' LTE in Rural America Program

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky., Nov. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluegrass Cellular, a rural wireless carrier, announced today that the company has entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless to participate in the LTE in Rural America program.  Under the LTE in Rural America program, Verizon Wireless seeks to work with rural carriers to jumpstart the delivery of fourth-generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) services to rural communities throughout the United States.

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Ron Smith, President of Bluegrass Cellular, Inc., said, "Our priority as a company is to provide competitive wireless services to our customers at an exceptional level of quality.  We view the LTE in Rural America program as the fastest approach to provide fourth-generation nation-wide network services to Bluegrass Cellular customers.  Rural wireless customers have the need for 4G LTE high-speed wireless data services both at home and when traveling, and this agreement will help us meet those needs and expectations for our customers."

"We are pleased that Bluegrass Cellular, a recognized leader among rural wireless operators, has joined the LTE in Rural America program," said Molly Feldman, VP of Business Development for Verizon Wireless.  "Working together, our two companies can bring the power of 4G LTE to central Kentucky quickly and efficiently."

Under the agreement, Verizon Wireless will lease to Bluegrass Cellular its 700 MHz upper C block wireless spectrum in the Bluegrass Cellular service areas where Verizon Wireless has not constructed a network.  Using the leased spectrum, Bluegrass Cellular will construct and operate a 4G LTE network in central Kentucky serving Bluegrass Cellular customers, Verizon Wireless customers and customers of other LTE in Rural America participants.  In addition, Bluegrass Cellular customers will have access to Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network throughout the United States.

Smith said, "As a rural wireless carrier we take great pride in our ability to provide voice and 3G advanced data services at service levels that exceed many urban areas. However, without partnerships such as the LTE in Rural America program, our ability to provide services outside our network is limited.  Cooperation within the wireless industry is critical to overcome our shared challenges."

Bluegrass Cellular expects 4G LTE speeds to be 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloading data and 2 to 5 Mbps for uploading data to a wireless device.  Smith said, "For our customers, faster wireless data speeds and response will translate into a better user experience initially for traditional data services such as email and web browsing.  As important will be access to devices and services that are just beyond our vision. Walt Disney once said, 'It's kind of fun to do the impossible.' It is that experience, that sense of wonder, we strive to deliver now and in the future."

About Bluegrass Cellular

Headquartered in Elizabethtown, Ky., Bluegrass Cellular has been operating in Kentucky for over 19 years.  A pioneer in the wireless field in the state's rural areas, Bluegrass Cellular was the first to offer analog and digital cellular service to Central Kentucky.   More information about Bluegrass Cellular and its products and services can be accessed at www.bluegrasscellular.com.

SOURCE Bluegrass Cellular