Cingular Invests Nearly $105 Million in Its Arizona Network in 2006
13 Avril 2006 - 10:09PM
PR Newswire (US)
New Cell Sites, Enhanced Voice/Data Quality and Capacity, Expanded
Retail Outlets PHOENIX, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless,
the nation's largest wireless carrier, today announced that it is
expanding operations in Arizona this year to support its growing
number of customers. Cingular is investing nearly $105 million for
network enhancements, extending wireless services, call quality and
coverage. In addition, Cingular is adding 19 new retail locations
and 89 RadioShack locations making it even easier for customers to
purchase wireless products and services. The expansion has created
more than 180 full-time jobs in Arizona 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 Arizona, 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 Arizona customers with the best wireless
experience possible - which includes unmatched coverage and quality
of service." Off to an impressive start this year, 33 new cell
sites are on-air to date throughout the state in Phoenix Metro
Area, Bisbee, Ehrenberg, Safford, Sahuarita and Tombstone. Overall,
the 2006 investment in Cingular's Arizona network will bring: -
Nearly 200 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 the Phoenix
Metro Area, including North Scottsdale, Queen Creek, the West part
of the Valley and key landmarks, like the new Cardinals Stadium and
the airport. - Expanding access to Cingular's 3G high-speed
broadband wireless network throughout the Phoenix Metro Area and
beyond. - Enhancements in the Tucson Metro Area and along Highway
82 from Nogales to Sierra Vista - Improved coverage in Safford -
Improved service in Prescott and surrounding area - Additional
coverage at the Arizona Snowbowl In 2005, Cingular invested more
than $100 million in Arizona in network improvements. Nationwide,
the company spent $6.5 billion on its network 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. "Last year, we added 83 cell sites, so 2006 will be
another landmark year for Arizona customers," said Mark Appel,
executive director, network operations, Cingular Wireless. "Network
investment further improves our coverage and call capacity. Also,
expanding our 3G technology in the Phoenix Metro Area and beyond
will continue to give our customers a powerful network of broadband
speeds and ubiquitous voice and data service." No need for
customers to find a Wi-Fi hot spot at a coffee shop with
BroadbandConnect service, Cingular's 3G high-speed broadband
wireless network. The service uses a laptop PC modem card,
providing average data connections between 400-700 kilobits per
second with bursts to over 1 Mbps, or 3G phones, giving customers
access to a variety of streaming video services. Cingular customers
now have the opportunity to use a phone for voice and data services
simultaneously - something other carriers' 3G technology does not
allow. 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 50,000
miles this year throughout Arizona. 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. * 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 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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