Cingular Completes Network Integration in Fort Myers and Naples

ORLANDO, Fla., May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless customers in Fort Myers and Naples now have more bars in more places thanks to the integration of the Cingular Wireless and former AT&T Wireless networks. With both networks now fully combined into one, Cingular customers should experience fewer dropped calls, improved call quality, new coverage where none existed before, and better in-building, in-car and pedestrian coverage.

The network integration, which involved choosing the best cell sites from both networks, eliminating duplicate equipment, and combining technologies onto a common network, is part of a $370 million investment in Florida this year by the nation's largest wireless carrier. Since 2005, Cingular has spent more than $435 million in its North Florida network alone, and approximately $13 billion nationwide.

"It's great to see the investments we're making in our network are paying off, especially for customers," said Dan Norman, vice-president and general manager for Cingular's West, Central and North Florida markets. "Quality and coverage are everything in our business, and our customers can be assured they're receiving the most reliable service in Fort Myers and Naples."

When Cingular and AT&T Wireless merged in October 2004, customers received a better experience immediately because they had access to more cell sites in more places through "home-on-home" roaming. Now, with the completion of the network integration in Fort Myers and Naples, the two networks can "talk" to each other, establishing the call through the closest cell site and passing the call seamlessly from site to site. Customers not only have access to more cell sites, but also have all the cell sites in the Fort Myers and Naples areas working together for them.

Cingular's 2006 Florida investment also includes the addition of portable and permanent generators and the launch of a third generation (3G) high-speed broadband wireless network this summer that will allow customers to access information and applications at broadband speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second.

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™ 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®, 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/.

SOURCE: Cingular Wireless

CONTACT: Kelly Starling of Cingular Wireless, +1-561-301-1414, or
kelly.starling@cingular.com

Web site: http://www.cingular.com/
http://cingular.mediaroom.com/