Startup Begins 4G Coverage

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Rochester-based S and R Communications LLC has launched 4G LTE service along State Road 24 between Peru and Wabash. The effort is a partnership with Verizon Wireless designed to provide LTE service in rural areas.

ROCHESTER, Ind. – S and R Communications, LLC is pleased to announce the successful launch of 4G LTE service along SR 24 as of 10:24 p.m. November 17, 2013.

S and R is providing this wireless broadband data service as part of Verizon’s LTE in Rural America (LRA) program, and launched service exactly two years to the day of the signing of the original contract.

In 2010, Verizon established the LRA program to partner with rural carriers and ILECs interested in expanding into the wireless business. As part of the LRA Program, S and R will build its 4G LTE network where Verizon does not provided service, including in Wabash, Miami, Cass, Fulton, and Carroll counties in northern Indiana.

S and R Communications is a partnership between RTC(Rochester Telephone) and Swayzee Telephone, are both Local Exchange Carriers that have been serving and supporting their local exchange areas with phone service for over 100 years and broadband and video services for over 20 years. Rochester Telephone was one of the first Local Exchange Carriers in the country to begin and complete a broadband fiber to premise network for their entire exchange.

While S and R Communications' 4G LTE network will provide Verizon Wireless customers with 4G network services, S and R's main goal is to provide 4G speeds and offer service to consumers and businesses that reside within S and R’s LTE coverage footprint. S and R has plans to begin independent retail mobile broadband sales as early as third quarter 2014, followed by voice services, including leading edge smartphones sometime in 2015. Eventually, S and R plan s to build out 100% of the 5 counties served.

Facts:

• S and R Communications, LLC is a joint partnership between Swayzee and Rochester.

• S and R is the first wireline-only group live on the Verizon LRA program.

• S and R is the first wireline only group in the U.S. that enjoys a nationwide data roaming agreement.

• S and R's launched 4G LTE network covers approximately 106,100 POPs as well as 1337 square miles.

• Verizon subscribers will enjoy usage of this network under their current Verizon plans.

Additional details about the LTE in Rural America Program can be found at:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/2013/09/4g-lte-rural-america-program-alaska.html

http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/2011/10/pr2011-10-27a.html

Source: S and R Communications LLC