The purchase of the operating assets of Mid-Missouri Cellular will expand Verizon Wireless’ network footprint in seven counties in central Missouri, and give it approximately 13,500 customers. Later this year Verizon Wireless will change out Mid-Missouri Cellular’s TDMA network and integrate its existing CDMA network into Verizon Wireless’ nationwide 1xRTT CDMA network, adding capacity and installing high-speed data capabilities.
The purchase includes Mid-Missouri Cellular’s spectrum licenses, as well as 27 cell sites and related network equipment. This gives it possible population coverage of 198,000 people in Lafayette, Saline, Howard, Cooper, Pettis, Johnson, and Ray counties, including Interstate 70, which connects Kansas City and Columbia.
Most of Mid-Missouri Cellular’s employees have accepted employment with Verizon Wireless.
Bedminster, New Jersey-based Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc and the world’s largest mobile operator Vodafone Group Plc.
Verizon Wireless has invested nearly $30bn on its US mobile network, averaging $5bn a year since the creation of the venture in 2000. In Missouri alone, Verizon Wireless invested more than $64m in 2005 to expand and enhance its network. It is pushing hard to regain the number-one spot in the US mobile market, and in the last quarter it gained a record 2 million subscribers to end the year with 51.3 million customers, narrowing the gap with market leader Cingular.
