 "U.S. Cellular is committed to providing the best possible service
for our customers, and the number and location of cell sites makes a
big difference in the network," said Derek Estes, director of sales
for U.S. Cellular. "Customers now rely on their cell phones while
out and about, as well as in their homes and at work. These sites
will allow us to continue giving users the great service they expect
from U.S. Cellular, both in buildings and outdoors."According to
the J.D. Power & Associates 2006 Call Quality Performance Study,
U.S. Cellular ranked highest overall in the study's North Central
Region, with fewer problems in call clarity, ease of connection,
fewer dropped or disconnected calls, and less static and voice
distortion. The region includes Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana,
Michigan and Ohio.
 The new site in Lincoln will provide better call quality and
additional capacity to serve the growing numbers of cell phone users
in the area.
U.S. Cellular has a team of engineers who continually test the
area for network quality, review network data and respond to
customer feedback to determine locations for new cell sites. Each
site provides coverage and calling capacity for an area. When a
customer makes a call, the U.S. Cellular phone transmits the
caller's voice to the nearest cell site, which then sends the call
through the telephone network, where it is delivered to the
receiver.
"Great network service gives customers the convenience of
accessing the Internet, sending or receiving calls, text messages or
e-mails whenever they need it," added Estes.
Over the past several years, U.S. Cellular has made great
progress in strengthening its network. Much of the progress has been
made possible through investment support provided by the federal
Universal Service Fund. The fund was created by Congress to make
advanced telecommunications infrastructure and services available in
the nation's rural areas. Wireless consumers contribute over $2.5
billion to the federal fund each year, most of which goes to
subsidize landline providers.
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 The Federal Communications Commission is currently considering
whether to impose a two-year cap on Universal Service Fund support
for wireless service. U.S. Cellular sees any attempt to slow
investment in wireless infrastructure in rural areas as an attack on
public safety for rural citizens. Any cap that causes U.S. Cellular
to cancel or delay construction projects will negatively affect the
lives of rural residents, who pay into the fund and deserve the same
health, safety and economic development benefits that urban
residents take for granted.
That's why U.S. Cellular is calling on Congress to be sure that
the FCC protects universal service funding for wireless carriers
serving rural America. Rural consumers who pay into the fund deserve
the benefits that Congress intended to deliver. With universal
service support, U.S. Cellular stands ready to deliver high-quality
wireless service in rural parts of Illinois -- everywhere that
Illinois customers live, work and play.
For more information, please visit
www.connectingruralamerica.org.
U.S. Cellular is the nation's sixth-largest wireless service
carrier, providing wireless service to 6 million customers in 26
states. The Chicago-based company employs 8,000 associates and
operates on a customer satisfaction strategy, meeting customer needs
by providing a comprehensive range of wireless products and
services, superior customer support, and a high-quality network.
[Text from news release received
from U.S. Cellular]
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