Chat Mobility participating in Verizon Wireless LTE in rural America program
EMERSON — Chat Mobility, a rural wireless carrier in Southwest and South Central Iowa announced last week 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.
Robert Mauer, General Manager of Chat Mobility, said, “Our priority 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 nationwide network services to Chat Mobility customers both at home and while traveling. This agreement will help us meet those needs and expectations.”
“We are pleased that Chat Mobility, 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 southwest and south central Iowa quickly and efficiently.”
Under the agreement, Verizon Wireless will lease to Chat Mobility its 700 MHz upper C block wireless spectrum in the Chat Mobility service areas where Verizon Wireless has not constructed a network.
Using the leased spectrum, Chat Mobility will construct and operate a 4G LTE network in southwest and south central Iowa serving Chat Mobility customers, Verizon Wireless customers and customers of other LTE in Rural America participants.
In addition, Chat Mobility customers will have access to Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network throughout the United States.
In December of 2010, Verizon Wireless launched its 4G LTE network in 38 metropolitan areas across the United States covering more than 110 million people.
Verizon’s 4G LTE network is the largest 4G LTE network in the US, and covers more than 200 million people. Verizon Wireless plans to continue to expand its 4G LTE network during 2012 and cover its entire 3G network footprint by the end of 2013.
Chat Mobility customers can expect faster speeds as part of the 4G LTE network with average download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloading data and 2 to 5 Mbps for uploading data to a wireless device.
These speeds translate up to ten-times faster than traditional 3G speeds.
Mauer said, “For our customers, faster wireless data speeds and response will translate into a better user experience for traditional data services. As important, we'll be able to access devices and services to support this program.”
About Chat Mobility:
Headquartered in Emerson, Chat Mobility is a provider of wireless services to rural customers in southwest and south central Iowa for over nineteen-years.
Chat Mobility provides its customers with innovative technology including data and mobile services, the latest wireless equipment and nationwide coverage.
For more information about Chat Mobility and its products and services, visit www.chatmobility.com