U.S. CELLULAR EXPANDS NETWORK IN SKYLINE PARK AREA
JENKS, Okla. — U.S. Cellular recently completed construction of one additional cell site in Skyline Park to improve call quality for its customers. The tower is co-located on an existing 107-foot cell tower and will increase U.S. Cellular’s in-building coverage for Skyline Park in the area of 121st and Peoria in Jenks, Okla. and will also complement U.S. Cellular’s statewide network of more than 530 towers. The tower was built by U.S. Cellular with the support of the federal Universal Service Fund, a critical resource for wireless expansion throughout rural America.
“This part of Oklahoma lacked quality wireless service. As a result, we identified the community as a priority,” said Nancy Fratzke, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in Oklahoma. “People everywhere depend on their cell phones to meet critical safety and everyday business needs. With a stronger network, Skyline Park can also become more competitive in attracting new business.”
This new site is part of U.S. Cellular’s 3G Mobile Broadband network in Oklahoma, 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 smart phone 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 Oklahoma, 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 and public safety officials,” said Tulsa County Sheriff Stanley Glanz. “It’s a big help to us when companies like U.S. Cellular expand their networks.”
In 2008, U.S. Cellular received approximately $8 million in Universal Service Fund () support in Oklahoma and used this funding to bring wireless service to 18 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.
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 Pearl Flip, and the touch-screen LG Tritan, which offer e-mail and Web access. Those features are delivered 10 times faster over U.S. Cellular’s 3G Mobile Broadband network. Based in Chicago, U.S. Cellular is the nation’s fifth-largest full-service 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.
Updated 01-06-2010
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