For 70 years, Pioneer has been proudly serving our customers and businesses with the best communication tools to keep them connected with the people, communities and information that matters most.
We have made the business decision to discontinue our cellular operations by this summer. Pioneer Cellular is working with Verizon to ensure that our customers maintain their connectivity. As a valued customer, we are working hard to define the specifics and ask for your patience as we work through the details. In addition, Pioneer is working to understand the impact on our employees as we transition our business.
No action is needed by you or required at this time. In the next several weeks, impacted customers will receive a letter that will provide more information about transferring services and exclusive promos with Verizon. We will work tirelessly to ensure that your transition will be simple and seamless.
Please note that there is no impact to our broadband, telephone or iVideo customers. While this decision to discontinue our cellular operations only impacts our wireless business, it will allow us to focus on our core business going forward of providing broadband service in our cooperative.
Thank you for being a loyal Pioneer customer.
FAQs
What does this decision mean for the future of Pioneer Cellular?
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to shut down our cellular operations by this summer. Pioneer is looking forward to working with Verizon to ensure that our customers maintain their connectivity. As a valued customer, we are working hard to define the specifics and ask for your patience as we continue to work through the details. In addition, Pioneer is working to understand the impact on our employees as we transition our business.
How will this decision impact the Pioneer local business offices?
The termination of the Pioneer Cellular business is expected to impact almost all offices due to the traffic related to cellular in our stores. In most situations, Pioneer will continue to operate the local office and service customers who subscribe to other Pioneer service lines, such as broadband internet services, iVideo service and landline telephone services. Resource needs may change over time due to the loss of cellular activity. In some instances, where Pioneer does not offer another service, the office may eventually close.
How does this decision impact me as a customer?
In the coming weeks, impacted customers will receive a letter that will provide more information about transferring service and exclusive promos with Verizon. We will work tirelessly to ensure that your transition will be simple and seamless.
What is the transition period?
Timing of this window has not yet been confirmed, but additional details will be mailed to all customers, including dates, times and locations in the Pioneer service area in the coming weeks. Pioneer Cellular will waive all early termination fees when you switch to Verizon or another carrier during the transition period.
Will Pioneer Cellular continue to bill me on a monthly basis for my accounts?
Pioneer Cellular will continue to bill active customers until they switch to Verizon or another carrier. At that time, all Pioneer customers can expect a final bill, giving partial credits for monthly charges paid in advance and billing for any unpaid device charges due to Pioneer unless the balance is transferred to another active service.
Will I be able to keep my number as part of this transition?
We expect most numbers will be portable to Verizon and potentially other carriers.
Will I be able to keep my device as part of the transition to Verizon?
The majority of customers should be able to transition their mobile device to Verizon. To check your device eligibility with Verizon, go to https://www.verizon.com/bring-your-own-device. In the event that the customer is making payments for the device to Pioneer Cellular through monthly device installment payments, there will be a few options for consideration.
What role will Pioneer Cellular play in this transition?
Pioneer Cellular will work tirelessly to ensure that your transition to Verizon will be simple and seamless.
When am I required to make a decision on my transition to Verizon?
Pioneer Cellular expects to discontinue cellular operations by this summer. To continue uninterrupted service, all customer accounts must be converted to Verizon or another carrier on a date to be determined.
Will Verizon have promotions for device and service plans available specifically for Pioneer Cellular customers?
Yes, customers will receive a letter in the coming weeks that will provide more information about transferring services and exclusive promotions with Verizon.
How will customers with installment payments be handled?
Effective immediately, customers paying a monthly charge on their mobile device can transfer the device installment balance to another active service, such as telephone or internet, for continued monthly payments. If customers do not have another active service with Pioneer, we will allow customers to create a separate monthly billing to pay off the installment balance on your active device over time instead of payment in full. We will waive all early termination fees when you switch to Verizon or another carrier during the transition period.
What promotions will be available for customers?
More information will be provided in the coming weeks on exclusive Verizon promotions available to Pioneer Cellular customers.