Cingular completes 108 cell sites and will add 32 more in Georgia

[jones]

Cingular Wireless Nears Completion of Its 2004 $100 Million Georgia Network Expansion Campaign
Company completes 108 cell sites to enhance local network in 69 Georgia
Counties

ATLANTA, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless today announced it is
nearing the completion of its 2004 network investment campaign which is
bringing greater coverage and enhanced service to Cingular's growing Georgia
customer base in 69 counties across the state. The more than $100 million
investment includes the addition of nearly 140 new cell sites and enhancements
to existing sites. This network campaign is enhancing call quality,
multiplying capacity and extending the network's reach across the state.
So far this year, Cingular has added more than 108 cell sites and expects
to add another 32 sites in the fourth quarter, completing this year's
campaign. Cingular has invested more than $1.3 billion over the years to
support the surge in network usage, the provision of new services and the
build-out of a next-generation network in Georgia.
"Cingular's focus in 2004 has been to improve the overall customer
experience and making continual investments in our network is a critical
component of this effort," said Cliff Minor, Vice President and General
Manager for Cingular Wireless-Georgia. "We have focused our resources on
vastly improving coverage, particularly in residential and commercial areas
and in-building locations throughout the region."
The enhancements are taking place in the following areas:

Coastal Georgia:
- Augusta: enhanced coverage and capacity in residential areas in North
Augusta, SC between Martintown Rd. & the Savannah River; on Highway 25
(Peach Orchard Road); along I-20 at the Savannah River, RiverWatch
Parkway and mile north into SC; in the Southwest portion of North
Augusta, SC in Buena Vista area; on I-20 East of Augusta; along I-20 in
Warren and Taliaferro Counties connecting Thomson GA to Greensboro GA.
- Savannah: enhanced coverage to U.S. 17 between Hardeeville & Savannah
and Hardeeville Speedway; along U.S. 21 & U.S. 301 south of Statesboro,
GA near Register; improved coverage in the vicinity of Moss Creek and
the bridge to Hilton Head Island, SC; improved coverage in the Town of
Dover and along U.S. 301 between Statesboro & Sylvania.
- Brunswick: enhanced coverage in Ocean Forest Golf Club, northern end of
Sea Island, Sea Island Lodge and Golf Club on southern end of St.
Simons Island.

North Georgia:
- New and enhanced coverage for 39 cities in 24 Counties.
- Athens: enhanced coverage in downtown area.
- Winder: enhanced coverage in the city of Winder along U.S. 211 and
U.S. 29.
- Blue Ridge/Ellijay: enhanced coverage throughout Blue Ridge, Ellijay,
Commerce, Eastanollee, and Jasper.
- Carrollton/Roopville: enhanced coverage along I-20 and Highway 166 near
Carrollton and Roopville. New coverage in Roopville near Highway S.R.
2725; in Bowden near Highway S.R. 100; and NW of Carrollton on
Highway 61.
- Jasper, Dahlonega, Ballground, Conyers, Gainesville and Dawsonville:
enhanced coverage throughout these cities.

Middle and South Georgia:
- Brand new coverage in 6 counties covering 11 cities.
- Macon/Warner Robins: enhanced coverage along the Gray Highway to Macon
and downtown; and in Warner Robins, Gray, Perry and Jeffersonville. New
coverage South of Macon near Skippertown on U.S. 41.
- Montezuma, Gray, Jeffersonville, Perry and McDonough: enhanced coverage
throughout these cities.
- Hawkinsville, Eastman, Cochran and McRae: brand new coverage throughout
these cities.

Metro Atlanta:
- New and enhanced coverage in 10 counties and 18 cities.
- Canton, Waleska, Woodstock: enhanced coverage in Canton near
Highway S.R. 140 and near Bells Ferry Road; and in Woodstock near
Highway S.R. 92.
- Atlanta: enhanced coverage in the downtown areas of Atlanta, Decatur
and Powder Springs.
- College Park: enhanced coverage in downtown College Park.

"Cingular continues to go beyond the big cities and Interstates to provide
our customers with an advanced network that gives them the ability to make a
call when they want and where they want," said Rick Clawson, Executive
Director of Network Operations, Cingular Wireless-Georgia. "Cingular is
committed to making its great network even better with ongoing network
enhancements that allow us to grow and expand with the communities we serve."
Cingular launched its advanced GSM/GPRS network in Georgia in 2003, and
since then has focused on improving coverage and capacity throughout the
region. GSM is the Global System for Mobile Communications, giving customers
the latest technology advances, including phones with greater functionality
and unique features, high-speed data connectivity and superior sound quality.

ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS
Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications (NYSE: SBC)
and BellSouth (NYSE: BLS), serves more than 25 million voice and data
customers across the United States. A leader in mobile voice and data
communications, Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer
Rollover(SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly
minutes. Cingular is the largest provider of GSM services in the United
States, and has a 100 percent digital GSM/GPRS footprint across its service
area. It also launched the world's first commercial deployment of wireless
services using Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology.
Cingular also provides corporate e-mail and other advanced data services
through its GPRS, EDGE and Mobitex packet data networks. Details of the
company are available at http://www.cingular.com .

SOURCE Cingular Wireless

[jujuga]

It will be nice if and when they enhance Northeast Georgia as in Lavonia, Hartwell, Toccoa ETC...

Originally Posted by jones

Cingular Wireless Nears Completion of Its 2004 $100 Million Georgia Network Expansion Campaign
Company completes 108 cell sites to enhance local network in 69 Georgia
Counties

ATLANTA, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless today announced it is
nearing the completion of its 2004 network investment campaign which is
bringing greater coverage and enhanced service to Cingular's growing Georgia
customer base in 69 counties across the state. The more than $100 million
investment includes the addition of nearly 140 new cell sites and enhancements
to existing sites. This network campaign is enhancing call quality,
multiplying capacity and extending the network's reach across the state.
So far this year, Cingular has added more than 108 cell sites and expects
to add another 32 sites in the fourth quarter, completing this year's
campaign. Cingular has invested more than $1.3 billion over the years to
support the surge in network usage, the provision of new services and the
build-out of a next-generation network in Georgia.
"Cingular's focus in 2004 has been to improve the overall customer
experience and making continual investments in our network is a critical
component of this effort," said Cliff Minor, Vice President and General
Manager for Cingular Wireless-Georgia. "We have focused our resources on
vastly improving coverage, particularly in residential and commercial areas
and in-building locations throughout the region."
The enhancements are taking place in the following areas:

Coastal Georgia:
- Augusta: enhanced coverage and capacity in residential areas in North
Augusta, SC between Martintown Rd. & the Savannah River; on Highway 25
(Peach Orchard Road); along I-20 at the Savannah River, RiverWatch
Parkway and mile north into SC; in the Southwest portion of North
Augusta, SC in Buena Vista area; on I-20 East of Augusta; along I-20 in
Warren and Taliaferro Counties connecting Thomson GA to Greensboro GA.
- Savannah: enhanced coverage to U.S. 17 between Hardeeville & Savannah
and Hardeeville Speedway; along U.S. 21 & U.S. 301 south of Statesboro,
GA near Register; improved coverage in the vicinity of Moss Creek and
the bridge to Hilton Head Island, SC; improved coverage in the Town of
Dover and along U.S. 301 between Statesboro & Sylvania.
- Brunswick: enhanced coverage in Ocean Forest Golf Club, northern end of
Sea Island, Sea Island Lodge and Golf Club on southern end of St.
Simons Island.

North Georgia:
- New and enhanced coverage for 39 cities in 24 Counties.
- Athens: enhanced coverage in downtown area.
- Winder: enhanced coverage in the city of Winder along U.S. 211 and
U.S. 29.
- Blue Ridge/Ellijay: enhanced coverage throughout Blue Ridge, Ellijay,
Commerce, Eastanollee, and Jasper.
- Carrollton/Roopville: enhanced coverage along I-20 and Highway 166 near
Carrollton and Roopville. New coverage in Roopville near Highway S.R.
2725; in Bowden near Highway S.R. 100; and NW of Carrollton on
Highway 61.
- Jasper, Dahlonega, Ballground, Conyers, Gainesville and Dawsonville:
enhanced coverage throughout these cities.

Middle and South Georgia:
- Brand new coverage in 6 counties covering 11 cities.
- Macon/Warner Robins: enhanced coverage along the Gray Highway to Macon
and downtown; and in Warner Robins, Gray, Perry and Jeffersonville. New
coverage South of Macon near Skippertown on U.S. 41.
- Montezuma, Gray, Jeffersonville, Perry and McDonough: enhanced coverage
throughout these cities.
- Hawkinsville, Eastman, Cochran and McRae: brand new coverage throughout
these cities.

Metro Atlanta:
- New and enhanced coverage in 10 counties and 18 cities.
- Canton, Waleska, Woodstock: enhanced coverage in Canton near
Highway S.R. 140 and near Bells Ferry Road; and in Woodstock near
Highway S.R. 92.
- Atlanta: enhanced coverage in the downtown areas of Atlanta, Decatur
and Powder Springs.
- College Park: enhanced coverage in downtown College Park.

"Cingular continues to go beyond the big cities and Interstates to provide
our customers with an advanced network that gives them the ability to make a
call when they want and where they want," said Rick Clawson, Executive
Director of Network Operations, Cingular Wireless-Georgia. "Cingular is
committed to making its great network even better with ongoing network
enhancements that allow us to grow and expand with the communities we serve."
Cingular launched its advanced GSM/GPRS network in Georgia in 2003, and
since then has focused on improving coverage and capacity throughout the
region. GSM is the Global System for Mobile Communications, giving customers
the latest technology advances, including phones with greater functionality
and unique features, high-speed data connectivity and superior sound quality.

ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS
Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications (NYSE: SBC)
and BellSouth (NYSE: BLS), serves more than 25 million voice and data
customers across the United States. A leader in mobile voice and data
communications, Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer
Rollover(SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly
minutes. Cingular is the largest provider of GSM services in the United
States, and has a 100 percent digital GSM/GPRS footprint across its service
area. It also launched the world's first commercial deployment of wireless
services using Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology.
Cingular also provides corporate e-mail and other advanced data services
through its GPRS, EDGE and Mobitex packet data networks. Details of the
company are available at http://www.cingular.com .

SOURCE Cingular Wireless

[agentHibby]

Does anyone think they can do that for 2005?
build 108+ cell sites for 2005 in GA??

[jones]

why not?
These are overlays.
Meaning you are using an existing Tower
and not starting from scratch.
And since it is GSM
you have economies of scale.
Where there are Lots
of Global equipment vendor.

[hillbilly44]

There is nothing in that release that says it's an overlay (which by the way was done a couple of years ago). Also, you don't know if it was an existing tower that they located on or not in those areas.

[jones]

Originally Posted by hillbilly44

There is nothing in that release that says it's an overlay (which by the way was done a couple of years ago). Also, you don't know if it was an existing tower that they located on or not in those areas.

So you're Saying These WERE DONE ON ALL BRAND NEW TOWERS?

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by jones

So you're Saying These WERE DONE ON ALL BRAND NEW TOWERS?

They don't have to be done on "brand new" towers. Alot of sites are co-located with other carriers or tower owners like American Tower, Crown Castle, AAT, Spectrasite, etc. I don't think you really understand how a network is built do you?

[jones]

so it's an overlay?

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by jones

so it's an overlay?

I don't think you understand what an overlay is. An overlay is when you have multiple technologies broadcasting out of the same set of antennas on a site (GSM & TDMA or TDMA & CDMA). A new site doesn't necessarily mean that's it's an overlay. In Cingular's case it may mean a GSM only site and not a site with multiple technologies (no TDMA). Also, a new site doesn't necessarily mean a tower, alot of sites are roof-tops. So you need to forget thinking of cell sites as towers that's not always systems are set-up. Today you even see cell sites using distributed antenna systems for in-building systems or microcells which can be mounted to light poles for limited coverage areas.

[jones]

It's either one of the Two.
Overlay or New Towers?
I'm Not asking about their Definition.
So which one is it?

[Moosiebear]

So far this year, Cingular has added more than 108 cell sites and expects to add another 32 sites in the fourth quarter, completing this year's
campaign.

First of all, they looked to have already completed the network enhancement by the end of Q4 2004. So, it is obviously possible to make improvements that fast especially given they have quickly moved on to their UMTS overlay.

And then they go on to say in the article that they not only added new cell sites but also enhanced existing cell sites. So, we can assume they co-located or built some new sites and improved capacity at existing sites. Improving capacity or making enhancements could mean adding antennas or coax, or overlaying GSM if it is a TDMA only site (unlikely though).

Overlay is unlikely, but improving capacity and adding new sites is probably more the case. I think Atlanta is slated for UMTS improvements by the end of the year so I am sure these same sites will see an overlay real soon.

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by jones

It's either one of the Two.
Overlay or New Towers?
I'm Not asking about their Definition.
So which one is it?

OK let's try this one more time, forget about an overlay. An enhancement is adding more GSM sites (NOT NECESSARILY TOWERS!!!!!!!!!!), Also an enhancement is also adding additional radio resources to existing sites to allow for more traffic (phone calls). So it's NOT AN OVERLAY!

[jones]

If you read the Press Release


The more than $100 million
investment includes the addition of nearly 140 new cell sites and enhancements
to existing sites. This network campaign is enhancing call quality,
multiplying capacity and extending the network's reach across the state.
So far this year, Cingular has added more than 108 cell sites and expects
to add another 32 sites in the fourth quarter, completing this year's
campaign.

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by jones

If you read the Press Release


The more than $100 million
investment includes the addition of nearly 140 new cell sites and enhancements
to existing sites. This network campaign is enhancing call quality,
multiplying capacity and extending the network's reach across the state.
So far this year, Cingular has added more than 108 cell sites and expects
to add another 32 sites in the fourth quarter, completing this year's
campaign.

I read the release, but it's still not an overlay and that doesn't mean they built new towers, alot of sites today are co-located on existing towers, water tanks or even on building roof tops

[jones]

Originally Posted by hillbilly44

I read the release, but it's still not an overlay and that doesn't mean they built new towers, alot of sites today are co-located on existing towers, water tanks or even on building roof tops

It's Not Overlay, it's New Colocated?
What's your Term?

[hillbilly44]

Originally Posted by jones

It's Not Overlay, it's New Colocated?
What's your Term?

Let's try this one more time as it seems you don't understand how networks are built. First, an overlay is a multiple technology site (TDMA/GSM) on the same tower (location) since TDMA is a "dead end" technology they (Cingular) are not going to build anymore sites (towers, roof tops locations, co-locations, etc.) then any "new" build out areas will be GSM only. I said with reference to the Georgia announcement that new sites does not nececcarily mean a new tower was built hence my previous post. I don't know how I can make it any simpler