Cingular Wireless Investing More Than $165 Million in its Louisiana Network in 2006 - New Cell Sites, Enhanced Voice/Data Quality and Capacity for ALLOVER(SM) Network - Progress Made in Integration of Former AT&T Wireless Network - Enhanced Back-Up Power Through More Than 150 Permanent Generators NEW ORLEANS, Feb 27, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, is investing more than $165 million in its Louisiana network in 2006, bringing customers improved wireless coverage, service and call quality. The 2006 investment in Cingular's Louisiana network will bring more than 60 new cell sites, the addition of new permanent generators, the integration of the network assets of the former AT&T Wireless, new switching facilities to improve call routing capabilities, and overall capacity to Cingular's ALLOVER(SM) Network, which is the nation's largest all-digital voice and data network. "Since the hurricanes devastated the region last year, Cingular has been dedicated to helping Louisiana rebuild its infrastructure and our multi- million dollar network investment again this year is proof of that commitment," said Joe Larussa, vice president & general manager, Cingular Wireless Louisiana/Alabama/Mississippi/NW Florida. "This year's investment will strengthen and expand our network reach in rural communities and boost emergency back-up power with the addition of more than 150 new generators -- so that our customers have access to advanced wireless services." In 2005, Cingular invested more than $144 million here in Louisiana on network improvements. Nationwide, the company spent approximately $6.5 billion on the network and will spend nearly that in 2006, bringing its overall investment since the company's 2004 acquisition of AT&T Wireless to approximately $13 billion. Steve Sitton, Cingular's President for the Southeast Region also commented on the significance of the investment, "Last year, we invested over $1.8 billion in our network and added more than 780 cell sites in the Southeast Region alone, and 2006 will be another landmark year for the Southeast and for Louisiana."
Network enhancements planned for 2006 in Louisiana include: Southeast Louisiana - Baton Rouge and Surrounding Areas Building eight and integrating 24 cell sites across East and West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Ascension, Iberville, St. James and Livingston Parishes. - Hammond and Surrounding Areas Building three and integrating two new cell sites across Tangipahoa Parish. - Greater New Orleans and Surrounding Areas Building four and integrating 62 new cell sites across Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. Tammany Parishes. Southwest Louisiana - Lafayette and Surrounding Parishes Building nine and integrating six new cell sites across St. Landry, Vermilion, St. Martin and Evangeline Parishes. - Lake Charles and Surrounding Parishes Building 11 and integrating four new cell sites across Allen, Acadia, Beauregard, Vernon and Calcasieu Parishes. North Louisiana - Monroe and Surrounding Parishes Building six and integrating four new cell sites across Caldwell, Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, Madison and Franklin Parishes. - Shreveport and Surrounding Parishes Building four and integrating 64 new cell sites across Caddo, Bossier, De Soto, Red River, Natchitoches, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Union, Lincoln and Jackson Parishes. Central Louisiana - Alexandria and Surrounding Parishes Building 18 and integrating 11 new cell sites across Sabine, Evangeline, Avoyelles, Rapides, LaSalle, Vernon and Franklin Parishes. By the end of the first quarter of 2006, Cingular will have completed the AT&T Wireless network integration in more than 80 percent of its Southeast cities. In Louisiana, great progress has been made and completion is expected by mid-year. This involves choosing the best cell sites from both networks, eliminating duplicate equipment, and combining the technologies onto a common network platform. Once complete, customers across the region will experience fewer dropped and blocked calls and improved overall quality of service. Network Testing Cingular diligently monitors the quality and coverage of its network. In addition to third-party vendors who assess the company's network performance, Cingular network engineers constantly measure the effectiveness of its network enhancements by drive and walk testing approximately one million miles per year throughout the Gulf States. About Cingular Wireless Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 54.1 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc., formerly SBC Communications Inc., (NYSE: T), and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(SM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(R), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/. Get Cingular Wireless press releases e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/. SOURCE Cingular Wireless
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