Pioneer has announced some of the details as it continues its transition out of its cellular operations.

A big step starts for customers at the end of this week as customers can begin to make their switch to a new carrier and will have a 90-day window to do so.

A letter was mailed to all Pioneer Cellular customers last week and was also posted to Pioneer’s website at gopioneer.com.

“As we approach the opening of the transition period, Pioneer Cellular has additional information about the conversion of your cellular service,” said General Manager Blake Callaham in the letter.

“We appreciate your continued patience as this time has allowed for network preparedness to help your transition be as seamless as possible.”

Pioneer announced in February that it was ceasing operations of its cellular line of business, which began in 1987.

It was a financial move, explained Callaham at the time, as the cooperative was losing considerable money as a regional carrier in a market dominated by national ones.

“Pioneer has had to compete with the aggressive device and plan promotions that larger carriers can afford to offer,” Callaham told the KT&FP about a week after the announcement was made.

“The larger carriers also leave us little bargaining power on national roam rates for our customers using their network outside the home market.”

Those factors and others put too much strain on Pioneer’s bottom line, which Callaham said necessiated the move.

However, said Callaham, Pioneer wasn’t “selling off” its network to Verizon, with which Pioneer has had a longstanding relationship.

Pioneer has been a member of Verizon’s LTE in Rural American (LRA) program since 2012.

Callaham said Pioneer Cellular would continue to maintain its cellular network in northwest and southeast Oklahoma, which can still produce revenue for the cooperative.

Instead, Pioneer had reached a “subscriber referral agreement” with Verizon.

When Pioneer initially made its announcement, the details of the agreement were still being worked out.

While it was hoped the details would be announced “in the coming weeks,” the specifics ended up taking several weeks to iron out, said Callaham.

The letter sent to Pioneer customers last week states the transition period begins Friday, July 7, and will remain open through Sept. 30.

While customers will have the option to switch to any carrier they desire, Pioneer is working closely with Verizon to enable its customers to switch to that national carrier.

Verizon will be setting up several “Store Within a Store” (SWAS) locations during the transition period, including in Kingfisher.

The locations are:

• 202 W. Broadway, Kingfisher

• 211 W. Main, Canton

• 3501 W. Garriott, Enid

• 120 East Main St., Weatherford

• 1205 Main, Woodward The locations will feature staff members from both Pioneer Cellular and Verizon.

“During this time, Pioneer Cellular and Verizon will be prepared to authorize your transfer of service at each of these locations,” Callaham said.

Pioneer plans to extend operating hours at the locations from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Most locations, Callaham said, will also be open 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, but he encouraged customers to continue to check GoPioneer.com for those locations.

Customers can also visit Verizon locations while Callaham said Pioneer Cellular “anticipates having additional special events throughout our service territory to help with your transition.”

Those locations will also be announced on Pioneer’s website as they become available.

Callaham said Verizon plans to make exclusive offers to Pioneer Cellular customers to switch to Verizon, including a $50 credit per line and waiving the activation fee for each line.

The letter says “this exclusive offer is in addition to other great promotions by Verizon.”

The letter also lists and answers several frequently asked questions (FAQs) that will assist customers with a number of different topics.