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Proven Experience in Network Operations and Disaster Preparedness BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless has named Will Schutts as executive director of network operations for the company's Gulf States region, which includes Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Northwest Florida (from Pensacola to Destin/Sandestin). In his new role with the nation's largest wireless carrier, Schutts is responsible for the implementation and performance of the network throughout the three states, including the integration of the AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless networks which is scheduled to be completed this summer. Schutts also is overseeing the roll out of Cingular's 3G high-speed broadband wireless network in select markets while managing a talented team of more than 180 network technicians and engineers. "Will is a proven leader with years of telecommunications and wireless, network operations, hurricane/disaster preparation and recovery experience, which makes him a perfect fit for this market," said Joe Larussa, Vice President and General Manager for Cingular's AL/MS/LA/NW FL markets. "We are thrilled to have him on our leadership team, as we continue our focus on building the best network in his region." Schutts has more than 10 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and seven years of experience in network operations. During his career with SBC, now AT&T Inc., and Cingular Wireless, Schutts has held a variety of positions in technology operations and management, most recently as executive director of network operations for South Florida. Schutts also played an instrumental role in the deployment of GSM/EDGE in South Florida and Puerto Rico. About Cingular Wireless Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 55.8 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T 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 emailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/. DATASOURCE: Cingular Wireless CONTACT: Dawn Benton of Cingular, +1-404-236-5305 (office), or +1-404- 202-6335 (wireless), or Web site: http://cingular.mediaroom.com/ http://www.cingular.com/

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