UScellular Conducts Live, Interactive Technical Demonstration of 5G Technology

ALLEMAN, Iowa (March 7, 2023) – UScellular conducted a live demonstration of its advanced 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technology at North Polk High School today. The wireless carrier was joined by technology leaders at Ericsson, Qualcomm and the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) to showcase the power and reliability of 5G FWA technology and how it can connect homes, businesses and educational needs, with the added benefit of mobile connectivity to help support growing precision agricultural needs in rural parts of Iowa.

Attendees, including state legislators and members of the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Task Force, experienced a 5G FWA technical demonstration and learned how 5G home internet works, the role of radio frequencies, and how UScellular’s unique approach impacts two digital divides – home broadband and mobile coverage.

Using specially designed rural antennas connected to a nearby cell tower powered with fiber, UScellular network experts conducted video calls with 20+ participants across Iowa and streamed a video to simulate today’s digital lifestyle. Immediately following the demonstration, attendees toured a local cell tower, where they received a rare opportunity to see the inside of the base station and the equipment that makes this high-speed connectivity possible.

“Estimates show that 106,000 Iowans lack access to essential broadband connectivity, creating a digital divide that affects families and businesses across the state,” said Rebecca Thompson, vice president of government affairs at UScellular. “Along with our partners at Ericsson, Qualcomm, and WIA, we are committed to investing in broadband infrastructure and the latest wireless technology to help deliver reliable, high-speed internet access to underserved Iowa communities now and in the future. It’s what we do best at UScellular – connect people to what matters most.”

“5G technology is providing high-speed Fixed Wireless Access internet connectivity to millions of homes.  It is a cost-effective solution that can be quickly deployed and offer mobile coverage as well,” added Mathew Joseph, director of product management at Qualcomm. “5G connectivity improves public safety responses, and ensures that people can connect at home, at work, and when they are on the go. We look forward to continuing to partner with UScellular to ensure rural communities in Iowa and elsewhere across the country have the best connectivity available.”

“The technology showcased at today’s demo provides reliable and affordable connectivity that can be deployed quickly and efficiently using cell towers,” said Bill Chotiner, vice president and chief technology officer for customer unit regional carriers, Ericsson North America. “Importantly, we have demonstrated that UScellular is prepared to deliver a future-proof solution, easy to refresh as technology evolves, making it an ideal option for rural areas where infrastructure updates can be difficult.”

Current and future government grant programs can provide supplemental funding to subsidize infrastructure investments that improve both access to and affordability of broadband connectivity. These funding programs, combined with advancements in 5G technology, create a generational opportunity to provide service where it was not practical in the past.

“Fixed Wireless Access is a strong tool available to states as they seek to use unprecedented federal infrastructure funding to connect more residents to broadband,” said Mike Saperstein, senior vice president of government affairs and chief strategy officer for the Wireless Infrastructure Association. “5G wireless technology is a viable options for many areas, and the demo today proved it.”

To learn more, visit https://newsroom.uscellular.com/connecting-us/.

About UScellular 
UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.