BANGOR — U.S. Cellular has recently expanded both its technological and philanthropic efforts in Aroostook County and other parts of the state by investing more than $4.2 million in its network, stores and community support.
The company, in conjunction with its partner, King Street Wireless, announced that Aroostook, Somerset and Piscataquis county residents now have expanded access to 4G LTE services.
According to company officials, the wireless carrier invested $3.3 million in network enhancements last year, which included adding more than 600 4G LTE cell sites across the country and making improvements to the existing network, with service boosted in 10 states. Locally, the expansion brings additional 4G LTE service to Castle Hill, East Dover, Fort Kent Mills, Greenville, Hammond, Littleton, Monticello, Sherman Mills, Spragueville, Van Buren and Acadia, among other locations in the three counties.
Additional areas in Maine, as well as in New Hampshire, Oregon, Virginia and Washington were also targeted.
“At U.S. Cellular, we know that the phone, tablet or machine-to-machine device you have is only as good as the network that backs it up, so we will continue to invest in our technology to ensure that whether you live in the city or a rural area, you have a strong signal when and where you need it,” said Matt Kasper, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England. “We also want every interaction you have with us to be a positive one, so when you visit us in the store, call us on the phone or see us out in the community, know that we are constantly striving to provide you with a great wireless experience.”
The network tweaks follow earlier improvements. Last year, several devices and hundreds of new accessories were launched in the company’s stores, so four retail locations in Maine were either opened or redesigned to provide shoppers with an improved in-store experience. To continue to innovate in its retail stores, in 2015 the company invested $906,000 to ensure that they are an easy and fun place to shop.
Along with its network and store enhancements, the cellular retailer focused its philanthropic efforts on STEM-focused education and donated $1.35 million to local Boys and Girls Clubs and 4-H clubs across its markets in 2015. These donations supported the clubs’ STEM programming and provided store associates with several volunteer opportunities to interact with the clubs’ members and staff.
Locally, the company made a total donation of $47,500 to six clubs around the state, with $5,000 going to the Penobscot Boys and Girls Club on behalf of its Presque Isle office for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming.
Operated by the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, the Presque Isle Boys and Girls Club serves both native and non-native youth, and comes under the umbrella of the Penobscot club. It is the city’s only Boys and Girls Club.
King Street Wireless is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, where it is recognized for its economic development and philanthropic efforts.
U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, and currently, 99 percent of its customers have access to 4G LTE speeds.
