US Cellular Outlines 2013 4G LTE Expansion Plans

US Cellular will roll out 4G LTE service to 87 percent of its customers by the end of 2013. The company currently services 61 percent of its user base with the faster 4G LTE data structure.

On Sunday, the company unveiled a new data expansion map which shows its plans to connect customers over a much faster mobile data infrastructure.

The company’s biggest expansion plans will occur in cities located in California, Kansas, and Nebraska where entirely new networks are being launched.

US Cellular will also expand some of its current markets in Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Part of the company’s expansion in Oklahoma City and surrounding counties is the result of Verizon Wireless’ sale of 700MHz spectrum licensing to US Cellular. The Verizon spectrum was purchased so the company would have the room necessary to build out the bandwidth intensive cellular project.

4G LTE uses faster speeds and therefore allows for high-definition video viewing, better audio bit rate, streaming and higher bandwidth downloads in general.

US Cellular expanded its offerings in November 2012 when it launched 4G LTE in 30 new markets across 11 states. One month later, AT&T Wireless answered back by expanding into 15 new markets and four new regions.

With mobile data becoming a more prevalent part of the cellular landscape, wireless providers are working around the clock to win the 4G LTE data race.

Do you think the mobile data race for 4G LTE technology will ultimately benefit customers with better service and lower priced mobile data plans?