TMCnet News
Cingular Invests Nearly $105 Million in Its Arizona Network in 2006PHOENIX, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, today announced that it is expanding operations in Arizona this year to support its growing number of customers. Cingular is investing nearly $105 million for network enhancements, extending wireless services, call quality and coverage. In addition, Cingular is adding 19 new retail locations and 89 RadioShack locations making it even easier for customers to purchase wireless products and services. The expansion has created more than 180 full-time jobs in Arizona as Cingular, along with its contractors and authorized retailers, hire people to build cell sites and work in new retail locations. Off to an impressive start this year, 33 new cell sites are on-air to date throughout the state in Phoenix Metro Area, Bisbee, Ehrenberg, Safford, Sahuarita and Tombstone. Overall, the 2006 investment in Cingular's Arizona network will bring: - Nearly 200 new cell sites, the addition of portable and permanent generators, and other enhancements to Cingular's ALLOVER(TM) Network*, which is the nation's largest all-digital voice and data network. - Increased capacity for more calls with a 30% increase in Cingular radio channels - Additional enhancements in the Phoenix Metro Area, including North Scottsdale, Queen Creek, the West part of the Valley and key landmarks, like the new Cardinals Stadium and the airport. - Expanding access to Cingular's 3G high-speed broadband wireless network throughout the Phoenix Metro Area and beyond. - Enhancements in the Tucson Metro Area and along Highway 82 from Nogales to Sierra Vista - Improved coverage in Safford - Improved service in Prescott and surrounding area - Additional coverage at the Arizona Snowbowl In 2005, Cingular invested more than $100 million in Arizona in network improvements. Nationwide, the company spent $6.5 billion on its network and plans to invest nearly that amount in 2006, bringing its overall investment since the company's 2004 acquisition of AT&T Wireless to nearly $13 billion. "Last year, we added 83 cell sites, so 2006 will be another landmark year for Arizona customers," said Mark Appel, executive director, network operations, Cingular Wireless. "Network investment further improves our coverage and call capacity. Also, expanding our 3G technology in the Phoenix Metro Area and beyond will continue to give our customers a powerful network of broadband speeds and ubiquitous voice and data service." No need for customers to find a Wi-Fi hot spot at a coffee shop with BroadbandConnect service, Cingular's 3G high-speed broadband wireless network. The service uses a laptop PC modem card, providing average data connections between 400-700 kilobits per second with bursts to over 1 Mbps, or 3G phones, giving customers access to a variety of streaming video services. Cingular customers now have the opportunity to use a phone for voice and data services simultaneously - something other carriers' 3G technology does not allow. Network Testing Cingular diligently monitors the quality and coverage of its network. In addition to third-party vendors who routinely assess the company's network performance, Cingular engineers constantly monitor the network, driving more than 50,000 miles this year throughout Arizona. Nationally, the company is advertising its network has the fewest dropped calls among all U.S. wireless carries, according to independent third-party testing. Enhancing the Customer Experience Thanks to its advanced network, Cingular customers have access to the best products and services that wireless can offer. For example, customers can choose from an exciting array of wireless devices including the trendy new Motorola SLVR, Cingular's second handset capable of downloading iTunes directly from a PC. Another innovative service is Push to Talk (PTT) with new, unmatched features such as "availability" -- unique icons that allow Cingular PTT users to see if other PTT customers are available before making a PTT call. Additionally, the company offers an interactive mapping tool at all retail locations and by calling 1-866-CINGULAR. The tool provides customers with up- to-date wireless coverage information and is designed to answer specific coverage questions based on an address, street intersection, zip code or even a landmark. Cingular leads the industry in educating customers about their new service at the point of sale. New customers receive either a Cingular Service Summary with a summary of their calling plan and its features including an estimated first bill or a Welcome Kit Brochure for customers who sign up on over the phone or the Internet. * The ALLOVER network covers more than 270 million people. Coverage not available in all areas. 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., , and BellSouth Corporation , 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(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 e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/. Cingular CONTACT: Lauren Garner of Cingular Wireless, +1-602-224-2878, [email protected] Web site: http://www.cingular.com/http://cingular.mediaroom.com/ |