Regional wireless operator Bluegrass Cellular recently launched commercial service for its GetSetGo fixed mobile broadband offering, providing consumers in portions of Kentucky with access to mobile broadband services across one of the carrier’s LTE networks.
The GetSetGo service runs across Bluegrass’ LTE network supported by the carrier’s lower 700 MHz spectrum holdings that it picked up during the 2008 Federal Communications Commission auction. This network runs parallel with Bluegrass’ LTE offering that is part of the Verizon Wireless LTE in Rural America program, which launched last year and runs across Verizon Wireless’ upper 700 MHz spectrum holdings through a leasing agreement.
For consumers, the GetSetGo service is targeted at non-mobile access to broadband services via a BandLuxe R529 router that can support multiple mobile devices using a Wi-Fi connection. That offering was initially trialed in Bowling Green, Ky., with the new expansion to a dozen counties in portions of Kentucky and Tennessee. Promotional rate plans for the service begin at $20 per month for access to 150 megabytes of LTE speeds up to 3 megabits per second on the downlink and 1 megabit per second on the uplink; $30 per month for 150 MBs of LTE speeds up to 6 Mbps on the downlink and 3 Mbps on the uplink; and $35 per month for 250 MBs of LTE speeds up to 12 Mbps on the downlink and 5 Mbps on the uplink. Once the data cap is reached, all plans are throttled down to 3G speeds based on the carrier’s CDMA-based network.
Bluegrass CEO Ron Smith noted at this year’s Competitive Carriers Association event that the GetSetGo launch enables the carrier to meet build out requirements for its 700 MHz spectrum holdings while at the same time advancing its fixed broadband offering to customers. A number of rural carriers have run into issues using the lower 700 MHz spectrum bands, noting the lack of interoperability with larger carriers that prevent the smaller operators from offering customers nationwide roaming coverage.
Bluegrass explained that the LTE network that runs as part of the Verizon Wireless program is targeted at consumers looking to use smartphones across a network with nationwide roaming. The Verizon Wireless program provides participating carriers access to the carrier’s near-nationwide LTE network and the protection that Verizon Wireless will not overbuild in the participating carrier’s markets.
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