Cingular Wireless Investing More Than $145 Million in Its Alabama/NW Florida Network in 2006
Thursday March 9, 9:03 am ET
- New Cell Sites, Enhanced Voice/Data Quality and Capacity for ALLOVER(TM) Network
- Progress Made in Integration of Former AT&T Wireless Network
- Enhanced Back-Up Power Through 58 New Permanent Generators
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, is investing more than $145 million in its Alabama and Northwest Florida network in 2006, bringing customers improved wireless coverage, service and call quality.
The 2006 investment in Cingular's Alabama/NW Florida network will bring approximately 29 new cell sites, the addition of 58 new permanent generators, the integration of the network assets of the former AT&T Wireless, and overall capacity to Cingular's ALLOVER(TM) Network, which is the nation's largest all- digital voice and data network.
"Our ongoing focus is ensuring Cingular customers have the best wireless experience possible - which includes unmatched coverage and quality of service," said Joe Larussa, vice president & general manager, Cingular Wireless Louisiana/Alabama/Mississippi/NW Florida. "This network investment will enable us to continue to bring residents of Alabama and Northwest Florida the highest quality service available - service that is enhanced by best-in- industry calling plan value and cutting-edge devices."
In 2005, Cingular invested more than $125 million here in Alabama/Northwest Florida on network improvements. Nationwide, the company spent approximately $6.5 billion on the network and will spend nearly that in 2006, bringing its overall investment since the company's 2004 acquisition of AT&T Wireless to approximately $13 billion.
Steve Sitton, Cingular's President for the Southeast Region also commented on the significance of the investment, "Last year, we invested over $1.8 billion in our network and added more than 780 cell sites in the Southeast Region alone and 2006 will be another landmark year for the Southeast, for Alabama and Northwest Florida."
Network enhancements planned for 2006 in Alabama and NW Florida (from Destin to Pensacola) include:
Morgan County
- Building seven and integrating four new cell sites to enhance service
in and around the city of Decatur.
Madison County
- Building one and integrating 22 new cell sites to enhance service in
Madison and Huntsville.
Calhoun County
- Integrating five new cell sites to enhance service in Anniston, Saks
and in Jacksonville.
Limestone County
- Integrating five new cell sites to enhance service in and around
Athens.
Etowah County
- Integrating six new cell sites to enhance service in and around
Gadsden.
Jefferson and Shelby Counties
- Building six and integrating 29 new cell sites to enhance service in
Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia, Chelsea and areas between Montevallo and
Alabaster.
Tuscaloosa County
- Integrating five new cell sites to enhance service around Tuscaloosa.
Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore Counties
- Building one and integrating nine new cell sites to enhance service in
Montgomery and Prattville.
Lee and Macon Counties
- Building six new cell sites to enhance service in Auburn and along I-85
to Tuskegee.
Mobile County and Surrounding Areas
- Building one and integrating 50 new cell sites to enhance service in
Mobile and across Baldwin and Mobile Counties.
Northwest Florida
Pensacola and Escambia County
- Building two and integrating four new cell sites to enhance service in
Pensacola, Ensley and near Myrtle Grove.
Santa Rosa County
- Building two and integrating five new cell sites to enhance service in
and around Milton and near the beach along US Highway 98.
Okaloosa and Walton County
- Building three and integrating 23 new cell sites to enhance service
near Eglin Air Force Base, in Crestview, Destin, Defuniak Springs, and
along State Highway 30A.
By the end of the first quarter of 2006, Cingular will have completed the AT&T Wireless network integration in more than 80 percent of its Southeast cities. In Alabama and Northwest Florida, great progress has been made and completion is expected by mid-year. This involves choosing the best cell sites from both networks, eliminating duplicate equipment, and combining the technologies onto a common network platform. Once complete, customers across the region will experience fewer dropped and blocked calls and improved overall quality of service.
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 measure the effectiveness of its network enhancements by drive and walk testing approximately one million miles per year throughout the Gulf States.
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving 54.1 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc., formerly SBC Communications Inc., (NYSE: T - News), and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS - News), 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®, the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at cingular.com. Get Cingular Wireless press releases e- mailed to you automatically. Sign up at cingular.mediaroom.com
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Source: Cingular Wireless
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