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Cingular Wireless Simplifies Customer Bills With New Format Initiative is part of company's ongoing commitment to delivering customer service that meets or exceeds "Seal of Wireless Quality" standards WASHINGTON, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the first nationwide wireless carrier awarded the right to use the "Seal of Wireless Quality," today announced a new, improved and simplified monthly bill format designed to increase customer satisfaction while reducing questions about billing issues. The new bill format is being introduced to customers in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia this month. The new format, created with input from customers and employee focus groups, better categorizes vital information and moves the most relevant data to the first page of the bill. This should reduce bill-related inquiries to customer service, which currently account for about 12 percent of all calls to Cingular customer service. "Each of these enhancements addresses billing issues and suggestions that customers and employees have shared with us," said William Wheeler, vice president and general manager, Cingular Wireless in Maryland, DC and Virginia. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve the customer experience, and this update to our bill format is just one of many initiatives in our quest to provide products and services that 'Fit You Best.'" In September, Cingular was one of several wireless carriers to adopt the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) Consumer Code for Wireless Service. Cingular was the first nationwide wireless carrier to be deemed in compliance with all aspects of the code, and thus was awarded the right to use the "Seal of Wireless Quality" in its advertising and store collateral. Please visit http://www.cingular.com/about/consumer_code for more information about the code and Cingular's commitment to its principles. The new bill format is part of Cingular's ongoing commitment to deliver the best wireless experience possible for customers. Cingular is in the process of rolling out a number of new initiatives that support its commitment to improving the customer experience at all points of contact -- the initial sale, service, billing, call center contact and on-line presence. In recent months, the company has introduced simplified coverage maps and rate plans as well as self service enhancements that let customers check account information and add services right from their handsets by dialing *BAL for their balance, *MIN to check minutes, *PAY to pay their bill and *NOW to order features like text messaging packages. About Cingular Wireless in Maryland, DC and Virginia The Cingular Wireless market of Maryland, DC and Virginia extends more than 20,000 square miles and covers a population in excess of 7 million. Last year, Cingular spent more than $120 million implementing an advanced GSM/GPRS network and enhancing coverage and capacity throughout the region. In 2004, the company announced additional network enhancements across the market including the launch of GSM/GPRS services in southern Maryland and along the eastern shore. 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: Alexa Graf Kaufman of Cingular Wireless, +1-301-489-3610, or wireless, +1-301-742-0888, or Web site: http://www.cingular.com/ http://www.cingular.com/about/consumer_code

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