Cross Wireless Completes Initial 4G LTE Network Launch

Cross Wireless d/b/a Sprocket Wireless is pleased to announce the completion of Phase 0 of its 4G LTE deployment. Phase 0 of its LTE deployment includes portions of the Muskogee and Pittsburg counties in Eastern Oklahoma. The deployment includes the commercial centers of Muskogee, Warner and McAlester.

Warner based and locally owned Cross Wireless had previously announced an LTE in Rural America (LRA) Agreement in 2010 with Verizon Wireless that would allow Sprocket customers to use the Verizon 4G LTE network nationwide in exchange for building out LTE in portions of Eastern Oklahoma. Verizon made available the spectrum to allow Cross Wireless to build out that LTE network This allows Sprocket customers the ability to not only have 4G LTE in their home area but also allow our customers to use their devices nationwide. This deployment also allows Verizon customers the ability to use their 4G LTE network while roaming on the Cross LTE network. This allows Oklahoma based Sprocket to provide rural Oklahomans within its service area high speed 4G LTE wireless data. This is the first phase of a three phase deployment. Later deployments will include areas within Choctaw, Pushmataha, McCurtain, McIntosh, Haskell, Okmulgee, Okfuskee, Hughes, Osage and Seminole counties as well as expanding the existing areas. Communities that will be covered with subsequent phases will include: Eufaula, Checotah, Savannah, Henryetta, Okemah, Pawhuska, Ft. Gibson, Keefeton, Canadian, Dustin, Broken Bow, Idabel and Seminole.

With the deployment of the new 4G LTE network, customers will experience data speeds currently up to ten times faster then the current 3G network. This will also provide reduced latency to enhance the true wireless broadband experience customers are demanding. Sprocket Wireless will invest over $4 million dollars into their rural LTE infrastructure to provide this new technology to their customers. Upgrading its 3G network along with deploying 4G LTE, Cross will make a total capital investment of $12 million dollars. “This is a major milestone for Cross/Sprocket and a lot of local people worked long and hard to make it happen. The ability to have lightning fast broadband speeds available not just in the city but in very rural areas will create a long lasting economic benefit to the people of eastern and southeastern Oklahoma.” says V. David Miller II, President of Cross Wireless.
These new initiatives will allow Sprocket to offer customers 4G LTE smart phones as well as high speed internet devices to take full advantage of the new technology that is now available to them.

Cross Wireless has retail store locations throughout eastern and southeastern Oklahoma. Cross has spectrum licenses to provide wireless service to over 350,000 residents in eastern and southeastern Oklahoma.

Cross Wireless is a wholly owned subsidiary of privately owned Cross Telephone headquartered in Warner, Oklahoma. Cross Telephone provides telecommunication services to over 11 exchanges in eastern Oklahoma. Cross proudly employs over 70 employees.