Cingular 'Best Network' in Bay Area, SF

Cingular Wireless Boasts 'Best Network' in Bay Area
Monday February 6, 12:36 pm ET
Announces Nearly $300 Million Investment in Northern California in 2006


SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless today announced it has the "Best Network" among national wireless carriers in the Bay Area, according to information provided by a leading independent research and advisory firm that provides information, insight and performance measures for the wireless industry.
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"Whether shopping in Union Square or jogging along the Marina Green, Cingular customers in San Francisco can now be assured they are receiving the most reliable wireless service in the city," said Fred Devereux, Cingular Vice President General Manager for Northern California. "I am proud of the fact Cingular has the best network, showing why more people choose Cingular as their wireless provider in the Bay Area."

The results from a recent third-party drive test proved Cingular has the most reliable wireless network in the Bay Area. The company launched new advertising yesterday which reinforces Cingular's superior network reliability and drive testing results in the market.

In 2005, Cingular Wireless invested $1 billion in California, including more than $275 million in the Bay Area. This investment added more than 200 new cell sites to the local network, including 43 new sites in Alameda, 18 in Contra Costa, four in Marin, 39 in San Francisco, 20 in San Mateo, 44 in Santa Clara, six in Santa Cruz, 14 in Solano and 16 in Sonoma counties. In addition to the new cell sites, the investment delivered other enhancements to improve customers' wireless experience, including portable generators, back-up batteries and new high-speed data features.

Cingular also rolled out its 3G high-speed broadband wireless network in the Bay Area last year. Cingular BroadbandConnect offers customers with a compatible device and service plan average data connections between 400-700 kilobits per second.

This year, the company is expected to spend nearly $300 million in Northern California, which will turn on-air approximately 260 more new cell sites to maintain Cingular's position as the best network. Nationally, last year the company spent $6 billion enhancing the network and is expected to invest a comparable amount in 2006.