Elizabethtown, KY (July 22, 2014) – If it’s not already there, it’s coming. Bluegrass Cellular announced today it will complete the build-out of its high-speed 4G LTE network by late next year. The accomplishment is a milestone for Bluegrass and puts the Kentucky-based company in a leading group of regional wireless carriers.
“Our engineers are committed to continually building and improving our network. It’s a project that never stops,” said Ron Smith, President and CEO of Bluegrass Cellular. “As a result, we have a 4G LTE network that’s as strong locally as it is nationwide. And it’s only getting better.”
As of June 30, 2014, 80.7 percent of Bluegrass Cellular’s core network was covered by 4G LTE, a percentage that translates to about 7,055 square miles in Central Kentucky and more than 620,000 people. From now until the end of 2015, Bluegrass will launch more than 75 new 4G LTE sites, bringing high-speed, reliable coverage to nearly 100 percent of its network, or over 10,300 square miles and 730,000 people.
From a consumer standpoint, the expansion means that customers in the newly covered areas will experience download speeds of up to 10 times faster than 3G, which affects everything from data speeds (i.e., streaming YouTube videos and posting Instagram pictures) to picture messaging.
While the exact live date of each new tower is subject to change, Bluegrass will release a quarterly schedule of upcoming expansion areas. The cities and areas included in the first phase of installations to be completed by the end of 2014 are:
- Adair County: The Sparksville community
- Allen County: Areas in the south and southeastern parts of Allen County, including Alonzo and the Holland community
- Barren County: The Eighty Eight community
- Butler County: Morgantown
- Clinton County: Albany and the Cartwright, Grider Hill and Ida communities
- Hardin County: The Eastview and Howe Valley communities
- Hart County: The Bunnell Crossing Road area and the Cub Run community
- Madison County: The Roundhill community
- Nelson County: New Haven
- Simpson County: The Middleton community
- Washington County: Springfield
Bluegrass’s 4G LTE expansion is made possible in part through Bluegrass’s partnership with Verizon Wireless. In 2010, Bluegrass became the first regional carrier to partner with Verizon’s LTE in Rural America (LRA) program. As a result of the partnership, Bluegrass is building a high-speed network in Central Kentucky that will be available to Verizon customers as well as its own. In return, Bluegrass Cellular customers have access to Verizon’s 4G LTE network throughout the entire United States.
“This is important news for our customers and for our region,” said Smith. “We’re working hard to bring 4G LTE into areas of Central Kentucky that might otherwise not have access to a high-speed network. Our investment, including our work with GetSetGo™ outside our core service area, is part of a bigger mission to broaden statewide access to the technology that’s redefining today’s standard of living.”
For the latest network announcements, including recent 4G LTE site activations, follow Bluegrass Cellular on Facebook at facebook.com/bluegrasscellular or on Twitter at twitter.com/bluegrasscell.
