Big River Broadband, the Missouri-based regional provider, will launch 4G LTE service in seven southeastern Missouri counties in the first quarter of next year. The area, which consists mostly of underserved residents, will get a boost from Alcatel-Lucent, which is providing the end-to-end 4G LTE solution that makes it possible.
“Today, the seven counties in Big River's service territory suffer from a lack of access to affordable networks," said Kevin Keaveny, CTO for Big River Broadband. "The availability of an expansive and affordable broadband network will dramatically change many aspects of our customers’ lives, including the areas of agriculture, public safety, government, administration, real estate, land values and tourism."
Big River got $33 million for the project from the national broadband stimulus program.
Alcatel-Lucent has now been selected by 18 customers for commercial deployments, including three of the world’s largest service providers.
