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New cell sites improve and expand service COLUMBIA, Mo., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest wireless voice and data network is getting larger-and better-in the Columbia area. Cingular's nine cell sites will improve coverage and capacity in several communities including Columbia, Jefferson City, Moberly, Fulton, Boonville and Sedalia. Coverage improvements include: -- US 63 and East Nifong Boulevard in Columbia, MO -- US 24 and North Morley Street in Moberly, MO -- Westminster Ave and 11th Street in Fulton, MO -- Main Street and East Morgan Street in Boonville, MO -- US 65 between I-70 and Sedalia, MO -- Clark Avenue and US 50 in Jefferson City, MO -- SR 179 and W. Truman Boulevard in Jefferson City, MO -- Tanner Bridge Road and US 54 in Jefferson City, MO "High-quality coverage wherever you go - that's our goal," said Nancy Garvey, Vice President/General Manager for Cingular's Missouri and Kansas market. "In 2006, we are continuing to make a huge investment in technology in Missouri, delivering a network that is continuing to improve in coverage and capacity." Cingular will spend $11 million to add 45 sites and to enhance coverage throughout Missouri. The commitment to improving the network is part of a $6.2 billion nationwide growth plan. Last year, Cingular spent more than $26 million installing 104 cell sites to improve service and offer enhanced services throughout Missouri. Cingular customers will have access to some 45,000 cell sites nationally by the end of 2006. The company already offers access to the largest digital voice and data network in America, and Columbia is an important part of that network. "This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to aggressively provide better quality service to our customers," said Garvey. "That strong customer focus is one of the reasons Cingular recently reached 55 million customers - the first wireless carrier to attain this milestone. Customers know they can rely on us to meet their needs. That's why they choose us and why they stay with us." Cingular's network now covers more than 270 million people, and provides service throughout the United States including the top 100 markets. Customers on specific calling plans now have access to the largest mobile-to-mobile calling community in the country - with free access to more than 50 million people. As part of its network build out and enhancement, Cingular has stepped up efforts to extend network coverage and enhance network quality. The company expects its employees and third-party companies to drive test Cingular's network nearly 30 million miles over the next year - that's the equivalent of more than 50 round trips to the moon. The company's network growth relies on advanced GSM/EDGE technology. GSM is the world standard for wireless communication, used by more than a billion people in 200-plus countries. In fact, more than 70 percent of the world's total wireless market is GSM. The widespread use of GSM offers Cingular customers the ability to use a large variety of GSM "world phones" and devices in more than 125 countries to make calls and access data services in more than 70 countries. For Columbia customers interested in wireless data services, the company's EDGE network - the fastest national high-speed data network in America - provides average data connections of up to 135 kilobits per second in more than 13,000 cities and towns and in areas along nearly 40,000 miles of highways. 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: Tara Traycoff of Cingular Wireless, +1-314-543-6435, or Web site: http://www.cingular.com/ http://cingular.mediaroom.com/

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