iWireless
 | |
| Private (Limited liability partnership between T-Mobile US, Inc. and Iowa Network Services Inc.) | |
| Predecessor | Iowa Wireless Services L.P. |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Urbandale, Iowa, U.S. |
Number of locations | 250 |
Area served |
Iowa western Illinois eastern Nebraska |
| Products |
BlackBerry Bold 9700 HTC G2 Sierra Wireless Compas 885 USB Modem |
| Services |
Individual Talk + Text + Web MEGAtalk Pay In Advance Mobile Connect Unlimited |
Number of employees | 200 |
| Parent |
T-Mobile US, Inc. and Iowa Network Services Inc. |
| Website |
iwireless |
|
Footnotes / references [1][2] | |
Iowa Wireless Services LLC, doing business as iWireless, is a mobile network operator founded in 1997. Headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, iWireless is a partnership between T-Mobile US, Inc. and Iowa Network Services Inc.[1] iWireless owns licenses to operate GSM cellular networks in the PCS-1900 and AWS-1700 radio frequency bands covering Iowa, southwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois.[3] iWireless has over 250 full-service company stores and authorized dealers across Iowa, western Illinois, and eastern Nebraska.
History
iWireless was founded in 1997 as Iowa Wireless Services L.P., a joint venture between Western Wireless Corp. and Iowa Network Services Inc., a consortium of 127 Iowa independent telecommunications companies. The joint venture was formed to expand PCS throughout Iowa, marketing services under the VoiceStream Wireless brand name.[2]
Network
Radio frequency summary
| Frequency Range | Band Number | Protocol | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 MHz PCS | 2 | GSM/GPRS/EDGE | 2G |
| 1700/2100 MHz AWS | 4 | UMTS/HSPA | 3G |
iWireless operates GSM cellular networks in the PCS-1900 and AWS-1700/2100 radio frequency bands primarily in Iowa, but also owns licenses covering the Quad Cities area of western Illinois, southwestern Wisconsin and North Sioux City, South Dakota. In certain rural areas iWireless is the only GSM provider, providing roaming services for AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and other GSM carriers.
iWireless added coverage in and immediately surrounding Sioux City, Iowa, in June 2006, and has plans to add approximately 100 new cell sites mainly in western Iowa throughout 2007, and plans to add 120 new towers throughout the Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, and the Wisconsin areas. In some rural areas they are the only GSM provider, and also provide roaming services for AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and other smaller GSM carriers. iWireless has been criticized for their relatively small coverage area compared to larger carriers, as well as long distance charges for calls outside of their coverage area on local plans.[4]
iWireless continued to expand their high-speed voice and data coverage in 2010 adding almost 100 new towers across Iowa and western Illinois.[5] Area cell towers that have been added during 2010 include: Sioux City, Southeastern Iowa, Southwestern Iowa, Mason City, Garner, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Burlington, Quad Cities, Dubuque, Iowa City, and Fort Dodge.
In September 2010, iWireless launched their state-wide 3G UMTS/HSPA network. The network transmits in the Advanced Wireless Services radio frequency band that is also used by T-Mobile USA.
iWireless and T-Mobile USA announced on October 1, 2012 that iWireless has acquired the rights to sell and operate service in the Des Moines market.[6] In the past, T-Mobile had operated the metro area network as part of its nationwide network. This change will give iWireless a true statewide network, and is expected to close Q1 of 2013.
Services
iWireless offers MEGAtalk[7] unlimited Nationwide Talk, Text, and Web plans that require no contracts, credit checks, or deposits from $40 a month. The four MEGAtalk Pay In Advance unlimited Nationwide plan options include: Talk + Text, Talk + Text + Web, and two unlimited Talk + Text + Web plans for BlackBerry and 3G smartphones. Customers choosing a MEGAtalk BlackBerry or 3G smartphone plan will have access to 3G coverage[8] in Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Quad Cities, Des Moines, and Ames, Iowa, and over 130 cities nationwide.
iWireless also offers many plans that have free long distance and nationwide calling, unlimited texting, and unlimited data. iWireless also has exclusive nights and weekends that start every night at 5:00pm, and have roaming agreements with virtually every GSM provider in the United States, including T-Mobile USA.
In 2012, they added 4G coverage (HSPA+) in over 208 cities (through T-Mobile) and in larger Iowa cities including Mason City, Osage, Rockwell, Davenport, Des Moines and more Iowa cities.[9]
During 2013, they promised to deliver large network improvements to 4G (HSPA+) and have a lot more of Iowa covered.
In Q1 of 2013, they started a large 4G rollout in their coverage area. Areas that have been updated include the following locations: Forest City, Lake Mills, Thompson, Clear Lake, and other cities.
As of Q3 2014, iWireless continues to rollout its 4G HSPA+ network, and they expect to have an estimated 98% of their coverage area to have 4G coverage by the end of 2015.
At this time, iWireless doesn't offer LTE,[10] CEO Craven Shumaker says "the iWireless continues to evaluate its LTE options but said the company has made no decisions yet." The company is expected to rollout their LTE network in Q2 2015. All LTE capable phones sold by iWireless are able to use T-Mobile's fast and reliable 4G LTE network.
LTE
On March 10th, iWireless signed a contract with Nokia Networks, stating it will head a major update to iWireless' 2G, 3G, and 4G network. The deal stated it will include the use of Nokia Network's Single RAN Advanced platform and Flexi Multiradio 10 base stations to support 2G, 3G, and LTE services, its Evolved Packet Core network to upgrade iWireless’ current packet core to support LTE; and Nokia’s Subscriber Data Management system "to provide access to subscriber data and support the launch of new services." Nokia Networks will also handle network implementation, planning and optimization. Nokia Networks stated that it is the sole supplier of iWireless' radio and core network in support of their legacy 2G network and 3G services, with the latest expansion maintaining that exclusive relationship. The updates and LTE equipment is expected to help IWireless maintain network relationships with other mobile operators, including a nationwide roaming deal with T-Mobile US.[11]
Products
iWireless offers a complete selection of the latest 3G capable handsets from Motorola, HTC, RIM, Alcatel and Samsung equipped with three of the most popular operating systems - BlackBerry, Android, and Windows Mobile - to take full advantage of the wide array of available applications. In addition to faster speeds, customers can experience the ability to multi-task – text, email, or surf the web while talking on their 4G phone.
As of 2014, iWireless now offers Apple brand smartphones as well as some other popular smartphones. Products like the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, Samsung Galaxy S5, the Nexus 5 by Google, and even more affordable smartphones (like the Motorola Moto E).
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.iwireless.com/about-headline_article.asp About i wireless
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Iowa+Network+Services+and+Western+Wireless+Form+Joint+Venture+to...-a019837447 Iowa Network Services and Western Wireless Form Joint Venture to Expand PCS Footprint in Iowa
- ↑ "About i wireless". Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ↑ "Wontek Magazine - Iwireless Review". Retrieved 2010-09-28.
- ↑ "Network Expansion". Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ↑ "I WIRELESS TO LAUNCH DES MOINES MARKET". Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ↑ "MEGAtalk Pay in Advance Plans". Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ↑ "3G Coverage". Retrieved 25 March 2011.
- ↑ "i wireless 4G info". Retrieved 2012-09-14.
- ↑ http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/rural-lte-bluegrass-builds-lte-band-12-and-13-while-iwireless-considers-lte/2014-03-27
- ↑ "iWireless partners with Nokia Networks for network expansion and improvement". Retrieved 2015-03-11.