Unicel Improves Coverage In Vermont

UNICEL INVESTS IN VERMONT

UNICEL ADDS 12 NEW CELL SITES IN VERMONT
3 More Sites to Be Added Soon by Leading Rural Wireless Company

Colchester, VT; January 2008 – Unicel recently has added or upgraded 12 new cell sites in Vermont to its rural network to bring communities around the state better wireless coverage and signal strength, a larger calling area, better voice quality and access to high-speed data transfer and other features. Three more cell sites should be operational soon, continuing to bring the latest technology and improved network coverage to communities around the state.

These improvements are all part of Unicel’s $135 million network investment around the nation, with nearly $38 million invested in its Northeast territory alone in the last year.

Residents, visitors and commuters will notice superior cellular coverage resulting from the following new and enhanced cell sites:
• Arlington – Boosting coverage between Bennington and Manchester on routes 7 and 7-A.
• Cabot – Bringing coverage to Cabot, Lower Cabot and surrounding areas.
• Derby – Providing coverage in the Newport area, Derby and beyond.
• East Barre – Increasing coverage in Washington Heights, Orange, Graniteville, Websterville and Williamstown.
• Morrisville – Creating new coverage and increased call capacity in the town of Morrisville and surrounding areas.
• Poultney –Offering superior cellular coverage on Route 30 to Highway 4; east on Route 140 to Wallingford, and south toward Granville; and on the campus of Green Mountain College.
• Quechee – Boosting coverage along Route 4 between Hartford and Woodstock as well as in the town of Quechee.
• Rutland – Enhancing coverage in downtown Rutland and along Route 4.
• South Burlington – Boosting coverage and increasing the capacity for calls in South Burlington.
• St. Albans – Improving indoor and outdoor coverage in northern St. Albans and Swanton while increasing the capacity for calls in the area.
• St. Johnsbury – Providing a larger coverage area in and around the St. Johnsbury and Waterford, including along routes 91 and 2 as well as sections of Route 93.
• Stratton – Boosting coverage for the ski village of Stratton.

Additional cell sites should be operational soon in the following communities: Charlotte, Fayston/Mad River Glen, and Hardwick.

In the past year, Unicel has significantly expanded its network capabilities for Vermont. The company has been providing cellular service across the Northeast for 20 years and will continue to add new cell sites based on customer needs and geography.

These new developments bring the total number of GSM-capable cellular sites in Vermont to 116, giving residents, travelers and business people the benefits of an advanced network. GSM technology is recognized as the worldwide standard for wireless communication.

“Unicel is still committed to making sure its customers experience the best in wireless service,” said Tom McLaughlin, vice president of sales for Unicel. “Unicel invests in new cell sites to serve Vermont’s primarily rural population in sometimes mountainous areas by providing a larger calling area, better voice quality and access to high-speed data transfer and other features. This helps make local connections among business owners, residents and visitors even stronger.”

Unicel’s lineup of data-compatible phones – including the HTC Smart Phone and Motorola ROKR – allow customers to enjoy features including high-resolution video capabilities, custom ringtones, games and weather radar, advanced features such as Unicel’s Pictures2GoSM picture mail and Mail2GoSM e-mail program as well as additional services. To take advantage of these new features and the improved cellular network, customers need to have data-enabled phones.

Unicel operates 11 retail stores in Vermont. Unicel products and services also are available through numerous cellular agents.

About Unicel
Unicel is a service of Rural Cellular Corp. (RCC) that focuses on primarily rural markets in 15 states across the U.S. The company operates 106 retail locations and has a comprehensive network of over 400 authorized agents. The 10th-largest wireless provider in the country, Unicel is committed to bringing the latest advances in wireless technology, products and services to its rural markets.
Rural Cellular Corporation [NASDAQ: RCCC] was established in 1990. Since its initial public offering in February 1996, RCC has completed a series of acquisitions increasing its population served (POPs) where it directly markets from 600,000 to 7.2 million. Go to UNICEL for more information.

 

I was glad to see that also. Unicel is the only carrier that actually cares about building out a strong network in Vermont and covering more than just the major roads and towns. It's going to be sad to see them go.

 

Well Verizon is in the process of buying Unicel. When that happens Verizon will own both cellular bands in parts of Vermont and New York so that overlapping spectrum would be divested to AT&T I believe.

I don't know what will happen to the actual towers. Verizon will probably put their equipment on some of the Unicel towers though.