Citizens of Bell County will now have another option when it comes to cell phone service. Popular in Eastern Kentucky, Appalachian Wireless opened inside the Middlesboro Mall on Wednesday. The Bell County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the occasion.

“We’re really excited about finally launching service here in three new counties — Bell, Knox and Whitley,” said Marketing Manager Ashley Litteral during the grand opening ceremony.

Litteral said one of the big differences between Appalachian Wireless and some of the other providers in the area is service. They currently have eight towers in Bell and six apiece in Knox and Whitley counties.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on building more and more towers in Eastern Kentucky because this is where every employee of Appalachian Wireless lives and works,” said Litteral. “So, it’s very very important to us to serve Eastern Kentucky because it’s home.”

With the towers, Litteral said the company was ready to launch in the area, but this is only the beginning.

“We’re good enough to start selling it now,” he said. “We’re confident that we’re as good, if not better, than the competition that is here right now.”

The company isn’t just stopping in Middlesboro. On Nov. 6, Appalachian Wireless will be holding a second grand opening celebration from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at their new location in Pineville — located in the old Flocoe building. There will be free finger foods, drinks and sweets during the event as well as a free drawing for an iPad.

According to their website, Appalachian Wireless is headquartered in Ivel and operates an advanced 4G cellular telephone and data network. “We are dedicated to providing today’s most innovative communications products and services at affordable prices to local communities across Eastern Kentucky.”

The service provider carries popular devices from leading manufacturers such as LG, Motorola, Samsung and Apple. For more information on their services, visit their website at appalachianwireless.com.