Cingular Expands Network in Oregon

[jones]

Cingular Expands Network and Retail Operations in Oregon
Tuesday December 6, 11:10 am ET
Cingular Investing $86 Million for Network Expansion and Enhancements
A Dozen New Retail Locations Added in 2005


PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the country's largest wireless provider, today announced that it is expanding operations in Oregon to support its growing number of customers. Cingular is investing more than $86 million for network improvements to enhance and extend wireless voice and data services in the state. In addition, Cingular has added 12 new retail locations for customers to purchase wireless products and services. The expansion has created more than 170 full-time and more than 100 part-time jobs in Oregon as Cingular along with its contractors and authorized retailers hire people to build more cell sites and work in new retail locations.
"As Cingular grows its business in Oregon, our customers and the economy benefit," said Mike Maxwell, vice president and general manager, Cingular Wireless, Pacific Northwest. "This investment demonstrates Cingular's strong commitment to build the best network and provide superior customer service."

Building the Best Network

Cingular is investing more than $86 million in the Oregon network during 2005.


- More than 70 new cell sites are planned by the end of the year to
expand the Oregon network, enabling customers to experience high levels
of voice quality and offer the most advanced data services.
- Most of the new sites are already on the air providing enhanced network
coverage.
- Many existing sites have been strengthened to provide greater access
and improved coverage for customers.
- New network switches have been installed to increase calling capacity
in support of current and forecasted growth.

Portland/Vancouver Metro Area: Cingular has been adding new cell sites
in key locations to increase calling capacity and expand the network.
New cell sites are now on the air in Downtown Portland, Beaverton, Lake
Oswego, Milwaukee, Boring, Sandy, McMinnville, Vancouver and Longview.

Salem/Albany/Corvallis: Cingular is increasing network coverage with
new sites in key locations such as Corvallis and Highway 99, St. Louis
Road and I-5 and along the Salem River Road.

Eugene/Springfield: New cell sites are already providing increased
service to customers on the University of Oregon campus and at Autzen
Stadium.

Medford/Grants Pass: Cingular is improving and expanding service for
Medford-area customers by the end of 2005. Customers will notice the
most improvements along SR99 and Siskiyou Summit.

This is part of a $6.2 billion commitment by Cingular to enhance and expand its ALLOVER(SM) network* nationwide in 2005.

Retail Expansion

Cingular has grown its retail presence in the state with a dozen new locations. The new exclusive retail locations are operated by Cingular and its authorized retailers.

More than 18,000 square feet of retail space is being leased to support the expansion. New locations have opened in Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Salem, Springfield, Medford and Hood River to serve customers.

Network and Customer Information

At all company owned retail locations, Cingular's interactive mapping tool can answer specific questions about network coverage based on a customer's address, a street intersection, zip code, state or landmark. The service can even estimate the likelihood of coverage in various scenarios -- inside a building, for example. Customers may also obtain information about network coverage by calling 1-866-CINGULAR.

[TProphet]

Lake Oswego has been a really tough NIMBY area for carriers to cover. If Cingular was able to get a new tower approved there (and particularly, into the Mountain Park neighborhood), this is a definite coup!

Oregon Hwy 99E in Lane County is dropped call central, and System Busy rules the air in Corvallis. Additional capacity in both of these places will definitely be a welcome sight.

[Andy]

You've also noticed system busies with Cingular in Corvallis, TProphet?