Ivel, KY - October 06, 2011

Appalachian Wireless
606-477-2355

Appalachian Wireless today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Verizon Wireless to participate in the LTE in Rural America program. Under the LTE in Rural America program, Appalachian Wireless will deploy and operate a state of the art 4G LTE network which will provide greater telecommunications capabilities and choices for the residents of eastern Kentucky.

Gerald Robinette, CEO of Appalachian Wireless, said, "We are dedicated to providing today's most innovative communications products and services to our customers. The LTE in Rural America program ensures that we will be able to efficiently serve our community and offer our customers the same state of the art LTE network capabilities that are being deployed in larger urban markets in the United States and around the world. This will result in enhanced high speed data services for our customers locally and when traveling away from home."

Under the agreement, Verizon Wireless will lease to Appalachian Wireless its 700 MHz upper C block wireless spectrum in the Appalachian Wireless service areas where Verizon Wireless has not constructed a network. Using the leased spectrum, Appalachian Wireless will construct and operate a 4G LTE network in eastern Kentucky and parts of West Virginia serving Appalachian Wireless customers, Verizon Wireless customers and customers of other LTE in Rural America participants. In addition, Appalachian Wireless customers will have access to Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network throughout the United States.

About Appalachian Wireless

Appalachian Wireless is Eastern Kentucky's leading provider of high quality telecommunications products and services since 1991. Headquartered in Ivel KY, Appalachian Wireless' products and services are available through its company retail stores and dealer network. A commitment to excellence and superior customer service are the standards by which the company operates. Through its parent company, East Kentucky Network (www.ekn.com), Appalachian Wireless also operates a redundant high-speed fiber optic telecommunications network in Eastern Kentucky.