U.S. CELLULAR EXPANDS NETWORK IN FOYIL AREA

Wireless Network Expansion Helps Economic Development, Public Safety.

FOYIL, Okla., � U.S. Cellular recently completed construction of an additional cell site in Foyil to improve call quality for its customers. A new 240-ft. tower located at 12227 S. Maple St. in Foyil will increase U.S. Cellular's coverage for the area and will also complement U.S. Cellular's statewide network of more than 600 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, Foyil 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 smartphone is very similar to the experience on a desktop computer. Web pages open faster and customers can send and receive large e-mail 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 Rogers County Sherriff Scott Walton. "It's a big help to us when companies like U.S. Cellular expand their networks."

In 2009, U.S. Cellular received approximately $10 million in USF support in Oklahoma and used this funding to bring wireless service to rural cities and towns across the state, including Maysville, Okay and El Dorado, while continuing to operate and maintain existing rural sites.

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.