AT&T Adding 200 More cell sites in Virginia

AT&T Celebrates Two Years of Wireless Service in Virginia With $143 Million Investment in New Cell Sites, Greater Capacity and High-Speed Data Network

Nation's Largest Wireless Provider Pledges Another $95 Million in Enhancements for 2007

RICHMOND, Va., March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. T announced today that Cingular, now AT&T, is celebrating its two-year anniversary of serving customers in Virginia with significant network expansion and a $95 million anniversary gift.

Since taking over the former SunCom property two years ago, AT&T has invested more than $143 million throughout Virginia to add coverage and capacity to enhance customers' wireless experience. This includes adding more than 200 new cell sites, upgrading the wireless data network with high-speed EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) service, enhancing 9-1-1 capabilities and adding network capacity to meet growing customer demand. The company plans another $95 million in capital expenditures in Virginia this year.

Enhancing the Network

"In the last two years, AT&T has made significant investments in our Virginia wireless network," said Erika Thompson, vice president and general manager of AT&T's wireless operations in the Virginias, "We plan to add to that with another $95 million investment in 2007."

In addition to putting in new sites across the state, AT&T has installed indoor antenna systems in key areas including Norfolk Airport. This system provides ubiquitous in-building wireless voice and high-speed EDGE data coverage.

In the last two years, AT&T has also boosted the capacity of its wireless network by 60 percent to accommodate our growing customer base and to improve customers' ability to place and hold calls during busy times of the day as well as spikes in traffic associated with events at the region's multiple military installations including the world's largest naval port.

"Our goal is simple: to offer our customers the very best wireless network in Virginia," Thompson, continued. "This means providing unmatched coverage and quality of service for both voice and data across the state -- from Hampton Roads to Richmond to Roanoke and Lynchburg."

As part of their planned 2007 network enhancements, AT&T plans to build more than 100 new cell sites in Virginia, focusing on major travel corridors in and around growing communities in Richmond, Hampton Roads and Roanoke. The company is also taking steps to further bolster network reliability by installing generators, adding more capacity for voice and data users and other network optimization activities.
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