BLS Bellsouth Cp

Nine New Cell Sites Enhance Network Coverage for Cingular Customers SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest wireless carrier continues to grow its network in the state of Maine. Cingular Wireless today announced that it has added nine new cell sites, providing enhanced cellular coverage for Maine residents and visitors. Cingular customers visiting Kittery's well-known outlets for back-to- school shopping will benefit from a new cell site providing enhanced service to the Shepard's Hill area. Tourists and residents hiking on Bald Mountain in Dedham or Lead Mountain in East Hancock, as well as those driving along Routes 1A and 9, now have additional wireless coverage from two new sites. And Cingular customers trying to beat the heat along the water will enjoy increased service in Yarmouth near White Cove as well as in Portland in the harbor area. Cingular has also added coverage in Sagadahoc County in Richmond along Route 197, as well as in Kennebec County in Winslow along Route 201. In addition, two new cell sites have been added in Androscoggin County, servicing customers in Poland Springs and Auburn. "We realize that the tourism is very important to the businesses in the state. We are pleased to have newly expanded coverage in place for Maine's peak travel season from summer vacations through fall foliage in October. Our enhanced wireless service is a convenience for Maine residents, weekend travelers and tourists alike," said Steve Krom, vice president and general manager for Cingular Wireless in New England. "The improvements we've made to our network are significant as we continue investing here to ensure our customers have the best experience possible." Cingular has turned on more than 60 new cell sites this year in New England with additional sites planned to go online before the close of the fourth quarter. By the end of 2006, Cingular's two-year network investment in the region will surpass half a billion dollars. Nationally, Cingular plans on investing more than $6 billion to expand and enhance its network this year. When combined with the company's 2005 network spending, the two-year total will approach $13 billion nationally. About Cingular Wireless in New England Cingular's network in New England covers more than 13.6 million people and extends across 62,000 square miles. Cingular employs more than 700 people in the region. With 84 company-owned stores in addition to authorized local and national retailers, including RadioShack, New England customers have approximately 800 outlets to buy Cingular's products and services. About Cingular Wireless Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 57.3 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(R) 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: Kate MacKinnon of Cingular Wireless, +1-781-690-5057, or wireless, +1-508-498-5547, or Web site: http://www.cingular.com/ http://cingular.mediaroom.com/

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