Agri-Valley Communications first to roll out LTE in rural Michigan

Agri-Valley Communications, Inc., a rural internet service provider in the US, will soon offer high-speed wireless broadband to people and businesses in certain rural areas of Michigan. Agri-Valley Broadband, Inc., a subsidiary of Agri-Valley Communications, will be the first in America to use LTE technology for a regional rural deployment using 700 MHz spectrum. It has selected Nokia Siemens Networks to provide LTE* (Long Term Evolution) infrastructure including core and radio elements as well as network management and related services.

"We will complement our current wireline, fixed and wireless CDMA services with LTE to provide the best broadband for our existing and new subscribers," said Edwin H. Eichler, President and CEO, Agri-Valley Communications. "We successfully tested LTE with Nokia Siemens Networks earlier this year and are confident in its ability to support reliable broadband access."

"Agri-Valley is the first rural service provider to make the move to LTE using its 700 MHz spectrum assets and is leading the way for other regional service providers in America," added Mike Jurcy, head of channel business development in North America, Nokia Siemens Networks. "We in turn are committed to showing how LTE could transform access to broadband."

Nokia Siemens Networks will provide its complete LTE network portfolio including Flexi Multiradio Base Stations and Evolved Packet Core** (EPC) using Flexi NS (Network Server) and Flexi NG (Network Gateway). It will also provide its NetAct network management system to efficiently monitor, manage and optimize the operator's network. Nokia Siemens Networks' Value-Added Reseller (VAR), Avion Systems will manage installation, commissioning and integration of the solution.

About Agri-Valley Communications, Inc.

Agri-Valley Communications, Inc., a multi-faceted communications company based in Pigeon, Michigan, is the parent company to Agri-Valley Broadband, Inc., a LTE 4G wireless broadband provider; Pigeon Telephone Company, an Independent Telephone Exchange Carrier (ILEC); Thumb Cellular, a cellular telephone and 3G internet service provider to Michigan's Thumb area; and Agri-Valley Services, Inc. (AVCI.net), a broadband internet service provider to Michigan's Thumb, Twining and Alba/Lakes of the North areas. Agri-Valley has served rural Michigan since the early 1900's, providing urban services to rural communities.

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