Ericsson is working with operators to enhance the wireless experience for all Americans while enabling greater operational savings with the delivery of LTE mobile broadband networks to eight regional wireless operators in the United States and Guam.

Operators who have recently selected Ericsson to build their LTE networks include Appalachian Wireless (Kentucky), Agri Valley Communications (Michigan), Bluegrass Cellular (Kentucky) Enhanced Telecommunications Corp. (Indiana), Globecomm (New York), IT&E (Guam) South Georgia Regional Information Technology Authority (Georgia) and VTel Wireless (Vermont)

Steven K. Berry, President & CEO of RCA The Competitive Carriers Association, said, "Ericsson has been a great partner for rural and regional carriers, and I am delighted that Ericsson has again assisted eight carriers in deploying LTE networks. Our members need solutions to find pathways to 4G/LTE services, and thanks to the innovative work from companies like Ericsson, competitive carriers can achieve this important goal."

LTE, the next generation of mobile communication technology, enables the fast transfer of huge amounts of data in an efficient and cost effective way, optimizing the use of the frequency spectrum. With increased speed and decreased latency, consumers can enjoy a wide range of applications such as video conferencing and access to the web and mobile apps effortlessly, while on the move. LTE will meet the demands of new and enhanced mobile internet applications of the future.

"We are moving from the information society to the Networked Society, where the primary concern is not just having access to information, but what benefit you get out of it," said Craig Stein, executive vice president, US Regions, Broadband & Media for Ericsson. "Working for many years with rural coverage in the U.S., Ericsson has built a deep understanding of the market. In combination with our early start in LTE technology, this makes us a natural choice to help bring broadband to people in these areas."

Broadband availability and speed drive economic growth, an issue of particular importance to rural areas. In 2010, Ericsson and Arthur D. Little concluded that for every 10 percentage point increase in broadband penetration GDP increases by 1 percent. A follow up study in 2011 concerning the impact of broadband speed upgrades on GDP, showed that doubling the broadband speed for an OECD economy increases GDP growth by 0.3 percent.

The global LTE population coverage is 325 million, of which 215 million are covered by Ericsson networks.