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- New Cell Sites, Enhanced Voice/Data Quality and Capacity for ALLOVER(TM) Network CARBONDALE, Ill., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, is investing more than $1.4 million in its Southern Illinois network in 2006, bringing customers even more wireless services, enhanced call quality and coverage in their homes, on the road, and at the office. The 2006 investment in Cingular's Southern Illinois network will bring new cell sites, high-speed data services, additional portable and permanent generators, integration of the network assets of the former AT&T Wireless, and other enhancements to Cingular's ALLOVER(TM)* Network, which is the nation's largest all-digital voice and data network covering more than 270 million people. In 2005, Cingular invested over $2 million in Southern Illinois on network improvements. Nationwide, the company spent $6.5 billion on its network last year. When combined with its 2006 network spending, of more than $6 billion, the two-year total approaches $13 billion to deliver a better wireless experience for customers. "Our ongoing focus is ensuring Cingular customers have the best wireless experience possible -- which includes unmatched coverage and quality of service," said Nancy Garvey, vice president & general manager, Cingular Wireless- Greater Midwest Region. "This network investment will enable us to continue to bring residents of Carbondale and the surrounding areas the highest quality service available -- service that is enhanced by best-in- industry calling plan value and cutting-edge devices." Network enhancements planned for 2006 in Illinois include: - Year-to-date, Cingular has turned on 34 new cell sites in the Illinois market, which includes Carbondale. - Building two new sites in Carbondale/Marion. - Integrating nine sites in Carbondale/Marion. - Enhanced coverage along I-57 near Highway 13 near the University Mall. - Enhanced coverage along Highway 13 across Crab Orchard Lake connecting Carbondale and Marion. Already in 2006, Cingular has completed its AT&T Wireless network integration throughout Central Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. Integration means enhanced coverage, fewer dropped calls and increased call clarity for Cingular customers in Illinois. Network integration involves choosing the best cell sites from both networks, eliminating duplicate equipment, and combining the technologies onto a common network platform. Network Testing Cingular diligently monitors the quality and coverage of its network. In addition to third-party vendors who assess the company's network performance, Cingular network engineers constantly monitor the network performance. Enhancing the Customer Experience Thanks to its advanced network, Cingular customers use the best services that wireless can offer. For example, customers can choose from an exciting array of wireless devices including the recently launched Motorola SLVR, Cingular's second handset capable of downloading iTunes directly from a PC. 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 a customer's specific wireless coverage questions based on an address, street intersection, zip code or even a landmark. This tool will soon be available online to current Cingular customers and to those shopping for cellular service. The company's network growth relies on advanced GSM/EDGE technology. EDGE is the fastest national wireless data network in the country. Globally, GSM is used by more than 1.5 billion people in 200-plus countries. Cingular customers can use a single handset to make calls in more than 170 countries and access data service in more than 95 countries. 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 is not available in all areas. 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 Wireless, +1-314-809-6112, or Web site: http://www.cingular.com/ http://cingular.mediaroom.com/

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