Cingular Wireless Acquires Customers, Cellular Operations from US Unwired Inc.

[jones]

$27.6 million deal expands Cingular's presence in Louisiana, Texas and
Arkansas

LAKE CHARLES, La., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Cingular
Wireless announced the acquisition of 16,000 Louisiana customers as part of a
$27.6 million all cash deal with US Unwired Inc. Cingular also acquired
spectrum and operations in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.
Under terms of the deal, which was approved by the Federal Communications
Commission on October 30, 2003, Cingular took over US Unwired's cellular
network in Lake Charles, LA as well as 10 MHz of its PCS spectrum in
Alexandria and Shreveport, LA; Longview, and Paris, Texas; and Texarkana,
Texas/Arkansas on February 7, 2004.

Important facts for former US Unwired Customers:
- Cingular began providing service to former US Unwired customers on Feb.
7, 2004.
- Service will not be interrupted
- Service plans and pricing will remain the same.
- The first Cingular bills will arrive in February in accordance with the
customers existing bill schedule.
- Customers can call *611 or 1-800-673-1818 for questions regarding their
bill or service. They can also visit their local Cingular retail
store. (see below for a list of Cingular stores in the greater Lake
Charles area)
- No customer action is required at this time.

"We want to make this process as seamless as possible for the customer,"
said Joe Larussa, Vice President and General Manager for
Alabama/Mississippi/Louisiana. "We have put a plan in place that allows the
16,000 US Unwired customers to keep their rate plan, phone number and handset
and we've hired the necessary staff to service these customers and the rest of
our growing customer base."
Cingular has been servicing the Louisiana area for nearly 20 years and has
invested over $620 million in the Louisiana network. The network covers more
than 31,840 square miles across the state with over 900 cell sites.
"Cingular has built its reputation by providing outstanding network
quality and superior customer service," said Larussa. "Our 2004 network
budget for capital expenditures is almost two times what we spent in 2003 and
we plan on building three times the number of cell sites we built last year.
Our network investments will expand our footprint, generate greater in-
building coverage to enhance data services and fill in coverage to make a
great network even better."
In addition to expanding the Cingular network, Cingular will also expand
its local workforce to accommodate the rapidly growing customer base.
Cingular currently employs more than 2,400 employees throughout the state of
Louisiana and recently hired approximately 50 former US Unwired employees.
"Thanks to our rapid growth and expansion in the Louisiana market,
Cingular was able to offer positions to the majority of US Unwired employees
who applied for current openings," said Larussa. "We recognize that talented
people with strong wireless backgrounds are imperative to a successful
business operation. We are looking forward to welcoming these new employees
to the Cingular Team."