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90 New Cell Sites, Enhanced Voice/Data Quality and Capacity, Expanded Retail Outlets ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, today announced that it is expanding operations in New Mexico this year to support its growing number of customers. Cingular is investing more than $25 million for network enhancements, extending wireless services, call quality and coverage. In addition, Cingular is adding six new retail locations and 20 RadioShack locations making it even easier for customers to purchase wireless products and services. The expansion has created more than 80 full-time jobs in New Mexico as Cingular, along with its contractors and authorized retailers, hire people to build cell sites and work in new retail locations. "As Cingular grows its business in New Mexico, our customers and the economy benefit," said Jeff McElfresh, vice president and general manager, Cingular Wireless. "This investment demonstrates Cingular's strong commitment to provide New Mexico customers with the best wireless experience possible -- which includes unmatched coverage and quality of service." Off to an impressive start this year, 20 new cell sites are on-air to date in the Albuquerque Metro Area alone. Overall, the 2006 investment in Cingular's New Mexico network will bring: * 90 new cell sites, the addition of portable and permanent generators, and other enhancements to Cingular's ALLOVER(TM) Network*, which is the nation's largest all-digital voice and data network. * Increased capacity for more calls with a 30% increase in Cingular radio channels * Additional enhancements in Albuquerque including extending service from Rio Ranch through the Cedar Crest area of Sandias * New coverage in Santa Fe * Improved quality of service along the I-25 corridor. In 2005, Cingular spent $6.5 billion on its network nationwide and plans to invest nearly that amount in 2006, bringing its overall investment since the company's 2004 acquisition of AT&T Wireless to nearly $13 billion. Network Testing Cingular diligently monitors the quality and coverage of its network. In addition to third-party vendors who routinely assess the company's network performance, Cingular engineers constantly monitor the network, driving more than 12,000 miles this year throughout New Mexico. Nationally, the company is advertising its network has the fewest dropped calls among all U.S. wireless carries, according to independent third-party testing. Enhancing the Customer Experience Thanks to its advanced network, Cingular customers have access to the best products and services that wireless can offer. For example, customers can choose from an exciting array of wireless devices including the trendy new Motorola SLVR, Cingular's second handset capable of downloading iTunes directly from a PC. Another innovative service is Push to Talk (PTT) with new, unmatched features such as "availability" -- unique icons that allow Cingular PTT users to see if other PTT customers are available before making a PTT call. Additionally, the company offers an interactive mapping tool at all retail locations and by calling 1-866-CINGULAR. The tool provides customers with up- to-date wireless coverage information and is designed to answer specific coverage questions based on an address, street intersection, zip code or even a landmark. Cingular leads the industry in educating customers about their new service at the point of sale. New customers receive either a Cingular Service Summary with a summary of their calling plan and its features including an estimated first bill or a Welcome Kit Brochure for customers who sign up on over the phone or the Internet. For more information about Cingular, call 1-866-CINGULAR or visit http://www.cingular.com/ * The ALLOVER network covers more than 270 million people. Coverage not available in all areas. About Cingular Wireless Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 54.1 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc., formerly SBC Communications Inc., (NYSE:T), and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE:BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(TM) network -- and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. 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: Lauren Garner of Cingular Wireless, +1-602-224-2878, or Web site: http://www.cingular.com/ http://cingular.mediaroom.com/

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