Cingular 50% More Cell Sites LOUISVILLE, KY

Cingular Wireless Completes Network Integration in Louisville Area
With Cingular and AT&T Wireless Networks Fully Combined, Customers Now Have Access to More Than 50 Percent More Cell Sites


LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless customers in the Louisville area now have more bars in more places thanks to the integration of the Cingular Wireless and the former AT&T Wireless networks. With both networks now fully combined into one in the greater Louisville area, Cingular customers have access to more than 50 percent more cell sites, which translates into fewer dropped calls, improved call quality, new coverage where none existed before, and better in-building, in-car and pedestrian coverage for customers.


"Cingular is continually working to provide our customers with the best possible wireless network," said Jim Thorpe, Vice President and General Manager for Tennessee and Kentucky. "The integration of the two networks in the Louisville area gives our valued customers in Kentucky and Southern Indiana increased coverage and improved call quality where it matters most -- at home, at work, and on the road."

When Cingular and AT&T Wireless merged in October 2004, customers received a better experience immediately because they had access to more cell sites in more places through "home-on-home" roaming. Now, with the completion of the network integration in greater Louisville, the two networks have become one continuous network, establishing calls through the closest cell site and passing them seamlessly from site to site. Customers not only have access to more cell sites, but also have all the cell sites in the Louisville area working for them.

Planning and preparation for the network integration involved choosing the best cell sites from both networks, eliminating duplicate equipment, and combining technologies onto a common network. The integration is part of an $85 million investment by the nation's largest wireless carrier in its Kentucky and Southern Indiana network in 2006. The investment also includes the addition of portable and permanent generators and the addition of more than 25 brand new cell site locations across Kentucky and Southern Indiana by the end of the year.

Some of the areas in and around Louisville which now have enhanced coverage include:

Northeast:
- Brownsboro, La Grange, Centerfield, Trimble, Providence, Marshall and
Worthville, along I-71

North/Northwest:
- Corydon, New Albany, Sellersburg, Speed and Greenville

Southeast:
- Clark Station, Mt. Washington, Smithville, Lebanon and Clermont

Southwest:
- Dixie Highway and near the Louisville International Airport

East:
- Crescent Hill, Indian Hills, Harrods Creek, Newburg, Hillview,
Manslick, Middletown, Cambron, near Ballard High School, Shelbyville,
and Simpsonville


In 2005, Cingular invested more than $65 million in its Kentucky/Southern Indiana network. Nationwide, Cingular's network investment is approximately $13 billion, for 2005 and 2006 alone. By the end of the first quarter of 2006, Cingular had completed the AT&T Wireless network integration in more than 80 percent of its Southeast cities.