US Cellular, the Chicago-based mobile operator which counts 5.84 million subscribers across 35 states, has confirmed that it has enlisted Amsterdam-based electronics firm Gemalto to supply it with its LinqUs Advanced Connectivity solution, with a view to enhancing the functionality of its in-deployment Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. The solution, which builds on Gemalto’s LinqUs Advanced OTA platform, and utilises the high-end ‘UpTeq LTE’ subscriber module, will enable US Cellular to authenticate subscribers to its CDMA and LTE networks, and instantly activate subscriptions and manage access to personalised services over IP-based LTE mobile networks. Gemalto says that the secure polling software ensures a 100% success rate in terms of the download and activation of mission critical applications, including machine—to—machine (M2M) subscriptions and large near field communication (NFC) payment applications as well as the credentials for streaming video content over LTE networks.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, US Cellular launched its oft-promised LTE network in March 2012, in partnership with King Street Wireless. From launch the mobile operator offered LTE in select cities in Iowa, Maine, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin, whilst the second half of the year will see coverage extended to additional cities in Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. US Cellular claimed to be the first wireless carrier to offer LTE in several of these markets.