U.S. Cellular announces new jobs, investment in Oklahoma

Wireless service provider U.S. Cellular said Wednesday it has hired 250 workers and invested $40 million to begin offering wireless services in Oklahoma City.<br/> In a second economic development announcement

Wednesday, July 7th 2004, 12:58 pm

By: News On 6

Wireless service provider U.S. Cellular said Wednesday it has hired 250 workers and invested $40 million to begin offering wireless services in Oklahoma City.
In a second economic development announcement for the area, Dell Inc. said it would open a call center that would employ another 250 people.
Officials of Chicago-based U.S. Cellular said it has opened nine retail stores and 27 exclusive agent locations in Oklahoma City and plans to open at least one additional retail store and 10 more agent locations this year.
U.S. Cellular, the nation's eighth largest wireless service carrier, has provided service to Oklahoma since 1985. With its entry in the Oklahoma City market, the company will provide service in and between most major cities in the state including Tulsa,
Norman, Edmond, Ponca City, Woodward, Stillwater, Muskogee, McAlester and Lawton.
"U.S. Cellular will deliver superior customer service throughout Oklahoma, and we're very excited to make our company a citizen of Oklahoma City," said Jack Rooney, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Cellular.
The company's infrastructure includes 126 wireless towers that officials said will ensure high-quality wireless reception throughout the Oklahoma City area.
Oklahoma City customers will be served by the company's customer care center in Tulsa, which also provides support to customers from Texas to Maine.
The announcement was made by U.S. Cellular officials at a news conference attended by Gov. Brad Henry and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett at Oklahoma City's Santa Fe train depot.
"This will help provide more jobs for our citizens and an additional stimulus to the Oklahoma economy," Henry said. In the second economic development announcement, Texas-based Dell said it would open a new customer contact center for U.S.-based customers.
The center is to open in temporary facilities in Oklahoma City in 90 days and a permanent location is to be established next year.