— from Dan Burke for Rock Island Communications —
Three years ago, Rock Island Communications entered into an important partnership with T-Mobile US to deploy LTE Fixed Wireless to the home. Since then, Rock Island, the wholly-owned subsidiary of OPALCO, has experienced a tremendous period of growth. Rock Island has since signed up over 3,500 Internet subscribers under the direction of Rock Island’s General Manager, Foster Hildreth and Executive Vice President, Gerry Lawlor.
The success of our effort has prompted T-Mobile to replicate a similar nation-wide deployment. As a result, Gerry will be going to work for T-Mobile to help communities like ours who face similar challenges around the country. Lawlor will make the move to T-Mobile on June 1, 2018. While we conduct a search to find Gerry’s replacement, Alan Smith will act as interim Executive Vice President.
“Gerry has played an instrumental role in making our fiber and LTE deployments in San Juan County a reality,” said Foster Hildreth. “I am grateful to Gerry for his dedicated service and look forward to working with him in his new role with T-Mobile where he will continue to deliver and grow our partnership. We wish him all the best.”
This shift in leadership comes at a good time for Rock Island as they make a natural shift from a scrappy start-up organization to a mature business with healthy financials and a thriving business model. OPALCO and Rock Island are both committed to building on their traditions of innovative solutions that keep our isolated rural community connected and strong.
The core team at Rock Island will continue serve its sole mission, which is to serve OPALCO’s membership with quality Internet services and unmatched customer care. Rock Island will continue to deliver fiber-to-the-home and LTE Fixed Wireless Internet throughout the county. The business has never been stronger, and demand for Rock Island services are at an all-time high.
T-Mobile has several exciting changes in store for Rock Island such as the rollout of their 600 MHz frequency, small cell deployment, cell splits, and 5G technology. As part of our agreement, T-Mobile will continually update equipment and technology as it becomes available.
