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Cingular Wireless Commits to $84.5 Million Network Enhancement Plan for Louisiana GSM Enhancements will redefine the wireless experience for Alexandria and Lake Charles Customers ALEXANDRIA, La., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless reinforced its commitment to the Alexandria and Lake Charles markets when it introduced its next-generation GSM network that provides the latest advances in wireless technology, offering phones with greater functionality and unique features, superior sound quality and high-speed data connectivity. The new GSM network is part of Cingular's 2004 commitment to invest $84.5 million in the Louisiana network and $3 billion nationally -- adding more cell sites, circuits and switches -- for an enhanced wireless experience. "Consumers have become more and more dependent on wireless service for all aspects of their lives, both business and personal," said Joe Ribando, Cingular Wireless Director of Sales - Louisiana. "Clearer, higher quality calls, faster data speeds, and comprehensive coverage are essential in meeting consumers' wireless needs today -- and that's what we are focused on delivering," he said. GSM, or Global Systems for Mobile Communications, is the world standard for wireless communications. More than 921 million people in 200 countries use this technology which delivers a superior network, the widest selection of phones, and advanced data applications, such as faster downloads on games, instant messaging and picture messaging. The 19 new GSM phones available this month come in an assortment of colors, shapes and sizes to complement Cingular's innovative plans and services. GSM phones also incorporate everyday conveniences, such as built-in cameras, radios and MP3 players. Additionally, all GSM phones contain SmartChip technology, that lets customers transfer personal profiles and calling information from phone to phone, so there's no need to reprogram phone lists or message logs when changing GSM phones. Simply take the card out of one phone and slide it into another GSM phone. In addition to new phones, the introduction of GSM brings new rate plan options to customers in Alexandria and Lake Charles including Cingular's most popular plan -- GSM Nation. Customers on Cingular GSM Nation plans never pay roaming or long distance, no matter where they call or use data services. Customers can roam on and off the Cingular network and pay no additional charges. Other carriers charge as much as 69 cents per minute for roaming off their network. When customers sign up for Cingular GSM Nation plans priced $49.99 and higher they also receive unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile minutes. "The GSM upgrade is part of our on-going commitment to deliver the best technology, products and performance to our customers," Ribando said. "The customer is our number one priority and we have more than 2,400 Louisiana employees who are committed to providing each one of them with the quality service they have come to expect." Cingular has been servicing Louisiana wireless customers for 20 years and has invested over $620 million in the Louisiana network. The network covers more than 31,840 square miles across the state with over 900 cell sites. ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications (NYSE:SBC) and BellSouth (NYSE:BLS), serves more than 25 million voice and data customers across the United States. A leader in mobile voice and data communications, Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Cingular has launched the world's first commercial deployment of wireless services using Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology. Cingular provides cellular/PCS service in 43 of the top 50 markets nationwide, and provides corporate e-mail and other advanced data services through its GPRS, EDGE and Mobitex packet data networks. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com/ . DATASOURCE: Cingular Wireless CONTACT: Calie Shackleford of Cingular Wireless, +1-615-221-3690, or Web site: http://www.cingular.com/

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