CINGULAR to install more than 730 new cell sites in California

[jones]

Cingular Wireless Raises the Bar for California Customers by Investing More Than $1 Billion Throughout the State
Monday August 1, 11:00 am ET
Unprecedented Investment Will Enhance Service Quality and Expand Coverage for California Customers


SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the country's largest wireless provider, today announced it will invest more than $1 billion throughout California in 2005 to install more than 730 new cell sites as part of a nationwide $6.2 billion commitment to enhance and expand its ALLOVER(SM) network*.
The network improvements will enable Cingular customers throughout the state to experience the highest level of voice service quality and offer some of the most advanced wireless data services to more customers in more places.

"Better wireless service is what consumers want statewide, and better coverage is exactly what Cingular is delivering," said Brian Shay, Regional President - West. "We are continually making improvements to our network so that our customers have the best wireless experience."

Cingular's more than $1 billion commitment to California is a major initiative comprising more than twenty percent of the company's overall $6.2 billion investment in nationwide upgrades. Cingular customers will have access to some 40,000 cell sites nationally, the most of any U.S. carrier, by the end of 2005.

The company already offers customers access to the largest digital voice and data network in America, and California is an important part of that network. Nearly two new cell sites are being installed every day in California to continue to meet the needs of Cingular customers.

"We are raising the bar significantly with this investment, demonstrating our commitment to continue aggressively providing better quality service to our customers," said Shay. "That strong customer focus is one of the reasons Cingular serves more than 51 million customers -- the first and only domestic wireless carrier to attain this important growth milestone."

To ensure that Cingular is successfully providing coverage for all its customers and to determine where more cell sites are needed, Cingular employees and third parties will drive 30 million miles around the country this year to test network coverage and quality. That's the equivalent of fifty round trips to the moon to ensure customers receive the best possible wireless experience in the United States. Along with drive-testing its own network, Cingular will drive-test competitors' networks to ensure that Cingular's coverage and quality are equal to or better than others providing service in the same areas.

Cingular's ALLOVER network now covers more than 270 million people, and provides service throughout the United States, including in the top 100 markets. Customers on specific calling plans now have access to the largest mobile-to-mobile calling community in the country -- with free access to more than 51 million people.

[bobolito]

Holy $$$$! 730 cell sites? I wonder how did they get all those NIMBY's to approve.

[larry]

I'll believe that they want to get that many new sites here in CA but it's not going to happen this year alone. No way. You figure at least a 20% attrition rate for sites to drop out, plus unexpected NIMBY battles since CA is by far the toughest state to get antenna approvals.

[Tony E!]

Two cell sites a day? are there any sites that give you these locations?

[NYCDru]

That would probably fix all there CA problems. Including NIMBY's...this should take about 5-8 years.

[agentHibby]

I think the press release is tring to say We are going to build and invest more money and expand faster than any other provider including Verizon.

[saturnsl01]

Thought that is what buying ATT was for, thought they already had the biggest baddest most awesome network ever. Why the need for so many cell sites? That is just insane.

[larry]

Originally Posted by saturnsl01

Thought that is what buying ATT was for, thought they already had the biggest baddest most awesome network ever. Why the need for so many cell sites? That is just insane.

Well I believe what happened is that Cingular sold off it's original towers to T-Mobile in CA. Then took over AT&T's towers and converted them to their own. But AT&T didn't have as great of a network as what Cingular originally had (partly due to 800 Mhz spacing with the old AT&T/LA Cellular system). Thus the need for many new sites.

[BKKloppenborg]

Originally Posted by larry

Well I believe what happened is that Cingular sold off it's original towers to T-Mobile in CA. Then took over AT&T's towers and converted them to their own. But AT&T didn't have as great of a network as what Cingular originally had (partly due to 800 Mhz spacing with the old AT&T/LA Cellular system). Thus the need for many new sites.

well put! i agree AT&T in my area is HORRIBLE and ALOT of damn echoing.. Its good they are doing this because AT&T needs big improvment here

[powertoburn]

It really depends on the carrier - in the city I reside in San Marino, CA 91108 the NIMBY will not protest Cingular sites too much. However, they will protest any other provider. Cingular was able to put in 5 cell sites here all within a time span of 2 years. Some of the newer sites are in church steeple, on top of a local hotel, fiber glass in building, a new flag pole, and street lamp. These are the original 1900Mhz only sites which work better then the previous AT&T 850/1900Mhz tower that serve the area.