READFIELD -- Chicago-based U.S. Cellular has expanded its service in Readfield with a $290,000 infrastructure investment.

The company has added equipment to an existing Readfield cellular tower, which is owned by Rural Cellular Corporation.

The federal Universal Service Fund, which is administered through the Federal Communications Commission, assumed the cost of the upgrade. The equipment came online Aug. 29, company spokeswoman Kelly Whalen said.

In a statement, the company said cell phone service should improve along U.S. Routes 17 and 41.