Verizon Wireless announced it has completed its purchase of Golden State Cellular from Sierra Cellular and two other partners. 

In a statement, Verizon said it now owns 100 percent of the Golden State Cellular. The purchase expands Verizon’s brand and network footprint in East Central California, a market area that includes much of Yosemite National Park, as well as Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.

The spectrum license and operating assets being purchased cover a population of 160,000 and approximately 6,000 square miles.

Verizon said it will continue to use the Golden State Cellular brand for the next several months as it integrates the Golden State’s network into its own. 

Once the integration is complete, Verizon Wireless will roll out its LTE network and serve Golden State Cellular’s customers under the Verizon Wireless brand. 

Verizon Wireless says it now provides LTE coverage in 500 markets nationwide, covering close to 97 percent of the U.S. population.