The Rural Telecommunications Group, Inc. (RTG) and NextGen Mobile, LLC (NextGen) announced today that the two organizations are joining forces to serve rural wireless providers. RTG is a trade association representing small, rural wireless carriers. NextGen was formed in 2008 by rural wireless license owners to reduce the operational costs associated with deploying and maintaining next generation, high-speed wireless networks. The combined memberships, representing more than 100 companies, will operate as the Rural Telecommunications Group effective September 1.

“The RTG and NextGen memberships understand that working together with one voice is of extreme importance in today’s regulatory and legislative environment” said Mike Higgins, Jr., RTG’s President and CEO of West Central Wireless.

NextGen’s working groups and committees compliment RTG’s advocacy efforts and create a solid foundation for members to actively participate and work together to achieve operational efficiencies, create favorable market conditions and ensure federal policies do not hinder the deployment and development of wireless networks serving rural America.

NextGen’s membership has worked tirelessly to forge relationships and vendor contacts as well as secure agreements and other benefits. The merger provides NextGen and RTG members with greater economies-of-scale and scope available through a larger entity and national presence. “Joining together with RTG is a seamless and logical step for NextGen to nurture the development and survivability of rural wireless providers” said NextGen’s Chairman, E. Kelly Bond, who is also President of Public Service Communications.

About RTG

Headquartered in Washington, DC, RTG is a trade association representing rural wireless carriers who each serve less than 100,000 subscribers. RTG’s members have joined together to speed delivery of new, efficient and innovative telecommunications technologies to remote and underserved communities. www.ruraltelecomgroup.org

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