UScellular Bags $5.1M Funding to Drive Rural Coverage

UScellular has been awarded $5.1 million from the Nebraska Universal Service Fund Wireless Fund Program to enhance mobile and in-home connectivity in several communities across the state.

The funding, awarded on Aug. 16 by the Nebraska Public Service Commission, will support UScellular as it brings reliable, high-speed internet access to parts of Nebraska that are currently underserved.

“Internet access – both at home and on-the-go – is an essential element of everyday life, so we thank the Nebraska Public Service Commission for leading the way in bringing high-speed wireless broadband service to hard-to-reach areas of Nebraska,” said Mike Adams, area vice president and general manager for UScellular in Nebraska and Iowa. “At UScellular, we are committed to providing reliable and affordable high-speed Internet options for everyone, and we look forward to putting this grant to work to ensure residents and businesses can be connected to the people and places that matter most.”

With this funding, UScellular will build new cell sites in Adams, Ayr, Brainard, Cedar Rapids, Edgar, Elmwood, Murray, Newcastle, Niobrara, Ponca and Tobias.

Building and maintaining a new cell tower in rural areas can cost twice as much as building one in an urban center, so programs like the Nebraska Universal Service Fund Wireless Fund Program are important to help wireless carriers connect residents quickly and efficiently. In addition to Nebraska, UScellular is partnering with state and local officials across the country to offer wireless home internet as an attractive way to connect rural America.

UScellular also participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Lifeline Program to help eligible households pay for internet and wireless service.