Pioneer Cellular has selected Alcatel-Lucent to deploy 4G LTE overlay network in the Midwestern U.S. states of Oklahoma and Kansas.
Pioneer Cellular will be offering mobile ultra-broadband service primarily in unserved and underserved areas of rural Kansas and Oklahoma.
The LTE deployment with Alcatel-Lucent will enable Pioneer Cellular to provide customers with ultra-broadband access and also interconnect with other carriers through roaming agreements.
With Alcatel-Lucent’s support, Pioneer will offer LTE based mobile service to its entire customer base covering 47 counties in Oklahoma and 14 counties in Kansas.
The company said the initial 25 sites to be deployed will be completed by the end of 2014, with an eventual plan to cover all of Pioneer’s network.
Alcatel-Lucent will supply LTE Radio Access Network, IP Mobile Packet Core (MME, SGW/PGW, PCRF),Subscriber Data Manager, IP Mobile Backhaul (7705 SAR) and associated deployment and integration services.
Richard Ruhl, general manager of Pioneer, said: “Rural operators like Pioneer face specific challenges in serving rural areas. Pioneer Cellular is a customer driven organization with a corporate mission to provide the best service possible to our wireless customers in areas where most carriers have chosen not to provide advanced services.”
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