U.S. Cellular (USM), the eighth largest wireless provider in the U.S., on Thursday announced additional markets to its 4G LTE portfolio. The company plans expands its LTE coverage to more than 3,800 new cities and towns in 2013. U.S. Cellular currently covers 61% of its user base with its high-speed network and hopes to increase that number to 87% by the end of the year.

“We’re continuously improving our customer experience, so we’re excited to offer 4G LTE speeds to nearly all of our customers by the end of 2013,” said Michael S. Irizarry, executive vice president and chief technology officer. “This 4G LTE network expansion, along with our growing line-up of 4G LTE devices, will make customers’ lives simpler and easier with quick access to important information and entertainment on their devices.”

U.S. Cellular will expand its current 4G LTE offerings in select cities in Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, and new cities in California, Kansas and Nebraska.

The company’s press release follows below.

U.S. Cellular Announces Next Markets To Receive 4G LTE Service In 2013 Millions more customers will have access to faster 4G LTE speeds

CHICAGO (Feb. 14, 2013) – U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM), in conjunction with its partner, King Street Wireless, announced the next markets that will receive high-speed 4G LTE services. By the end of 2013, customers in more than 3,800 additional cities and towns will have access to 4G LTE speeds that are up to 10 times faster than 3G and similar to a cable Internet connection. Currently, 61 percent of U.S. Cellular customers have access to 4G LTE speeds and 87 percent are expected to be covered by the end of the year. New 4G LTE service will be launched in select cities in California, Kansas and Nebraska and existing 4G LTE service will be expanded to include additional cities in Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Some of the new cities that will receive 4G LTE include Lincoln, Neb., Omaha, Neb., Manhattan, Kan., Eureka, Calif. and Ukiah, Calif. 4G LTE speeds provide an enhanced wireless experience with fast web browsing, smooth video streaming, video chatting with no buffering and speedy app downloads. U.S. Cellular currently offers 10 4G LTE devices, including smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S® III and Samsung Galaxy Note® II, in addition to a tablet, hotspots and a wireless modem. “We’re continuously improving our customer experience, so we’re excited to offer 4G LTE speeds to nearly all of our customers by the end of 2013,” said Michael S. Irizarry, executive vice president and chief technology officer. “This 4G LTE network expansion, along with our growing line-up of 4G LTE devices, will make customers’ lives simpler and easier with quick access to important information and entertainment on their devices.” The 4G LTE network builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers have enjoyed on the carrier’s nationwide network. U.S. Cellular has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier, along with a valuable rewards program that recognizes loyalty. For more information about the 4G LTE experience, visit uscellular.com/4G.