US Cellular doesn't want iPhone without LTE

Even though Sprint signed its life away to carry the iPhone, not all carriers are that eager. According to a report from Fierce Wireless, US Cellular is not interested in the iPhone, at least not until it has LTE.

Speaking at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, Ted Carlson, CEO of US Cellular's parent company TDS, said, "The iPhone for us would need to be at the cutting edge of where we're going, and then there might be an opportunity to consider it."

Like other wireless carriers, regional carrier US Cellular is updating its 3G network to 4G LTE. Because its network is small, the carrier will blanket 25 percent of its subscribers in 4G by the end of this year and another 25 percent by the end of 2012. It hopes to cover all its subscribers across 26 states within three years.

US Cellular will sell its first 4G handset and tablet early next year and may pick up the iPhone if it shipped with LTE. According to Carlson, bringing LTE and quality 4G handsets to its customers is US Cellular's top priority. If Carlson is sincere, then selling the iPhone should fit in perfectly with that goal.

[Via AllThingsD]