BLS Bellsouth Cp

Nation's Largest Carrier Adding 35 Cell Sites in the State to its ALLOVER(SM) Network JACKSON, Miss., Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest wireless voice and data network is getting larger in Mississippi. Cingular Wireless is investing more than $85 million in its Mississippi network before year's end, integrating the Cingular and AT&T Wireless networks, increasing coverage and capacity, building 35 new cell sites, adding portable generators and back-up batteries, and offering enhanced new features. Cingular's local investment is part of a $6.2 billion commitment to enhance and expand its ALLOVER(SM) Network* nationwide. "Cingular is committed to delivering best-in-class coverage, call quality and the industry's greatest overall customer experience," said Joe Larussa, vice president and general manager for Cingular's Alabama/NW Florida/Mississippi/Louisiana markets. "This investment demonstrates that commitment, and we look forward to providing all customers in Mississippi with the very best in wireless voice and data services." Of the approximately 155 new cell sites to be added across the Gulf States in 2005, more than 35 are slated for Mississippi. Year-to-date, Cingular has activated 18 new cell sites in Mississippi, enhancing coverage in major cities and counties throughout the state. In Mississippi, specific enhancements and coverage expansions include: Biloxi/Gulfport/Pascagoula: - The City of Biloxi around Lemoyne Boulevard - East Pass Road and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Beatline Road in Long Beach Indianola: - The City of Indianola and Highway 82 west to Leland Okolona: - The City of Okolona as well as US 45 Alt, MS 32, MS 41 and MS 245 Hinds/Warren County: - Along MS 27 and the surrounding area between Vicksburg and the Hinds/Warren County line - Hinds County on Davis Road west of Byram between Siwell and Springridge roads - Along Fisher Ferry Road, Nailor Road, and the Goodrum Road area south of Vicksburg Hattiesburg: - Along Highway 49 north of Hattiesburg in Covington County - Along Highway 49 south of Hattiesburg between the towns of Wiggins and Brooklyn in Forrest County Rankin County: - Along MS 468 and MS 469 between Brandon and Florence Itawamba County: - The City of Smithville as well as on MS 25 between the towns Amory and Fulton Marion County: - The community of Columbia and Highway 98 east and west of Columbia Jasper County: - The area of Columbia and Highway 98 east and west of Columbia Lafayette County: - Along Highway 6 east of Oxford and the Lafayette/Pontotoc County line Natchez: - The south side of the City of Natchez Clarke County: - Along use Highway 45 and the town of Quitman Tupelo: - Along the western part of the City of Tupelo surrounding the intersection of West Main Street and Thomas Street in Tupelo Cingular has invested more than $130 million in its Mississippi network over the past two years, deploying next-generation technology GSM and improving network coverage and capacity. GSM is the world standard for wireless communication, used by more than a billion people in 200-plus countries and territories. Since its merger with AT&T Wireless last fall, Cingular has continued to expand its customers' high-quality coverage, reliability and reach. Cingular's ALLOVER Network now covers more than 270 million people and provides service throughout the U.S., including the top 100 markets. The networks in Natchez, McComb, Brookhaven, Biloxi, Gulfport, Pascagoula, Laurel and Pearl River have already been integrated into one larger, improved network. The networks in Hattiesburg and Oxford will be completed in August 2005, while Jackson, Meridian and Vicksburg will be completed early next year, resulting in even more enhanced coverage for Cingular customers. When the nationwide integration is complete, Cingular customers will have access to some 45,000 cell sites across the United States. With nearly 60 company-owned stores and kiosks in Mississippi, Cingular also has extensive relationships with authorized agents and national retailers, giving customers over hundreds of additional locations to buy service. Currently, Cingular employees more than 1,500 Mississippians, including approximately 1,000 in its Ocean Springs Customer Service Call Center. *Coverage not available in all areas. About Cingular Wireless Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 51.6 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE:BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(SM) Network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(R), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/ . Get Cingular Wireless press releases e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/. DATASOURCE: Cingular Wireless CONTACT: Dawn Benton of Cingular Wireless, +1-404-236-5305, or wireless, +1-404-202-6335, or Web site: http://www.cingular.com/ http://cingular.mediaroom.com/

Copyright