RCA Responds to Verizon Wireless’s LTE Offer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      Contact: Lucy Tutwiler

May 14, 2010                                                                                                             (202) 449-9866

RCA Responds to Verizon Wireless’s LTE Offer

Washington, DC – The Rural Cellular Association (RCA) is pleased to hear that Verizon Wireless is thinking about rural America.  Verizon publicly recognized that it will need help from the rural and regional carriers if rural America is going to receive the benefits of 4G in the next several years.  Verizon itself does not have a plan for bringing 4G to rural America anytime soon, and RCA members are very interested in hearing more about the Verizon implementation plan.

RCA has been in discussions with Verizon and other major carriers for months trying to find a non-regulatory solution to data roaming that will bring the industry together and benefit consumers.  Verizon’s current actions, however, make clear that it does not want ubiquitous roaming agreements, but rather only agreements that will benefit their gaps.

Verizon has an open invitation to present their proposal to RCA members as soon as they are ready to do so.  RCA is ready and willing to work with Verizon or any other group to find a solution to data roaming and help bring 4G solutions to rural America.

RCA's letter to Verizon Wireless' President and CEO Lowell McAdam is available here.

About RCA

RCA is the nation's leading association for wireless providers serving rural areas of the United States. The licensed service area of RCA's nearly 80 members covers more than 80 percent of the nation.

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