Regional carrier IWireless, which covers Iowa in a partnership with T-Mobile US, last week launched its LTE network and signed a nationwide LTE roaming agreement with T-Mobile US.
The company said the $35 million LTE network upgrade will initially cover greater Des Moines, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, the Quad Cites, Clinton, Marshalltown and transit corridors along I-80 and I-380.
IWireless is planning further expansions in 2016. This current expansion includes about 300 LTE base stations; more than 100 other LTE base stations are set to go live next year. The agreement with T-Mobile US will allow IWireless customers traveling outside the coverage area to move onto T-Mobile US’ nationwide LTE network.
IWireless President and CEO Craven Shumaker said, “I am proud of our team at IWireless in completing this important milestone. IWireless is bringing the latest technology to Iowa with our partnership with Nokia. Our customers will now experience an extremely fast data network in Iowa with access to 4G LTE nationwide through IWireless’ roaming partnership with T-Mobile. We are excited to bring the fastest LTE network to Iowans.”
Founded in 1997, IWireless also provides services in western Illinois and eastern Nebraska. The company is a joint venture of Iowa Network Services and T-Mobile US. The company operates more than 250 retail locations in its service areas.
Back in March, IWireless and Nokia announced a provisioning deal including work on the carrier’s legacy GSM-based 2G and 3G services and installing LTE equipment. Nokia Networks said the deal includes the use of its Single RAN Advanced platform and related Flexi Multiradio 10 base station to support 2G, 3G and LTE services; its evolved packet core network to upgrade IWireless’ current packet core to support LTE; and Nokia’s Subscriber Data Management system to provide access to subscriber data and support the launch of new services. Nokia Networks will also handle network implementation, planning and optimization.
Nokia Networks said it is the sole supplier of IWireless’ radio and core network in support of legacy 2G and 3G services, with the latest expansion maintaining that exclusive relationship. The updates and LTE equipment is expected to help IWireless maintain network relationships with other mobile operators, including the nationwide roaming deal with T-Mobile US.
