US Wireless Carrier, Cellular South has announced $90 million network expansion plan as it readies for LTE Services by boosting network capacity, adding new and upgraded Cell sites, fiber optic cable and enhanced backhaul connections. The improvements are designed to meet the growing demand by consumers and businesses for faster data speeds and more robust services.

"Our industry-leading smartphone penetration rate is driving an explosive demand for mobile data services. These network enhancements will pave the way for the deployment of our 4G LTE network, which allows us to offer even faster speeds and deliver voice and data services with exceptional reliability and performance," said Kevin Hankins, chief operating officer for Cellular South.

Operator already has installed enhanced backhaul connections at 300 cell sites to enable 4G speeds and to boost capacity and handle more mobile traffic. It has expanded network capacity by installing 110 spectrum carriers at 110 cell sites and activated 20 new cell sites to expand coverage and network quality.

Additionally operator has planned network expansion activities for the remainder of 2011 including installation of 285 spectrum carriers at 258 cell sites in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama and, installation of enhanced backhaul capacity at 308 cell sites and activation of 51 new cell sites to expand coverage.

As part of the network upgrades and expansion, Cellular South has standardized all of its packet-based network services for wireless Ethernet backhaul and advanced IP services in Mississippi with Alcatel-Lucent.