CINGULAR Adding 64 Cell Sites In Louisiana Network This Year

[jones]

Cingular Wireless Investing $144 Million in Louisiana Network This Year
Wednesday August 10, 3:33 pm ET
Nation's Largest Carrier Adding 64 Cell Sites in the State to its ALLOVER(SM) Network


NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest wireless voice and data network is getting larger in Louisiana. Cingular Wireless is investing $144 million in its Louisiana network before year's end, integrating the Cingular and AT&T Wireless networks, increasing coverage and capacity, building 64 new cell sites, adding portable generators and back-up batteries, and offering enhanced new features. Cingular's local investment is part of a $6.2 billion commitment to enhance and expand its ALLOVER(SM) Network* nationwide.
"Cingular is committed to delivering best-in-class coverage, call quality and the industry's greatest overall customer experience," said Joe Larussa, vice president and general manager for Cingular's Gulf States, which include Alabama, NW Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. "This investment demonstrates that commitment, and we look forward to providing all customers in Louisiana with the very best in wireless voice and data services."

Of the approximately 155 new cell sites to be added across the Gulf States in 2005, 64 are slated for Louisiana. Year-to-date, Cingular has activated 30 new cell sites in Louisiana, enhancing coverage in 19 parishes throughout the state.


In Louisiana, specific enhancements and coverage expansions include:
Franklin Parish:
- Along Highway 15 and 577 near Baskin and along Northern Winnsboro and
Highway 15

Lafayette Parish:
- Along Highway 157, east and west Broussard roads

Livingston Parish:
- Along Highways 16, 22, Vicknaur Road and Harry Simoneaux Road in
Maurepas
- Along Highways 16, 1019, Fore Road, Springfield Road and R. Dawes Road
in Denham Springs

Rapides Parish:
- Along Highways 121, 1200 and southwestern Boyce
- In the City of LeCompte along Highway 71 and I-49
- Along Highways 112, 448 and Durand Road near Elmer and Highways 71, 167
and I-49 south of LeCompte
- Along Highways 112 and 113 near Glenmora
- Along Highways 112, Sandy Lane, Lookout Tower Road and Jeris Wells Road
near Elmer
- Along Magnolia Drive, Nick Strange Road, Cecilia Road and Highway 12 in
LeCompte

Richland Parish:
- Along Highways 854, 80 and 17 and along Highway 15 in northern
Winnsboro

Vernon Parish:
- North Fort Polk and South Fort Polk

Washington Parish:
- Along Highways 21, 438, 1071, Old Columbia Road and Elm Street in
Angie
- Along Highways 38, 438, 1055 and 450 near Mount Herman

Since its merger with AT&T Wireless last fall, Cingular has focused on high-quality coverage, reliability and reach. Cingular's ALLOVER Network now covers more than 270 million people and provides service throughout the U.S., including the top 100 markets. In Louisiana, Cingular's integration with the AT&T Wireless network has already begun and is slated to be completed by September 2006. By the end of 2006, Cingular customers will have access to some 45,000 cell sites nationwide.

Cingular has invested more than $200 million in its Louisiana network in the past two years deploying GSM and improving network coverage and capacity. GSM is the world standard for wireless communication, used by more than a billion people in 200-plus countries and territories.

With nearly 90 company-owned stores and kiosks in Louisiana, Cingular also has extensive relationships with authorized agents and national retailers, giving customers hundreds of additional locations to buy service. Currently, Cingular employs more than 2,600 people in the state of Louisiana, including more than 1,000 in its Lafayette Customer Care Call Center and nearly 600 in its Baton Rouge Customer Care Call Center.