Cingular Wireless customers in Georgia now have more coverage in more places thanks to the completed integration of the AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless networks and addition of new cell sites. The more than 475 newly integrated cell sites were kept from the AT&T Wireless network. Coupled with the 130 brand new cell sites built in 2005, Cingular Wireless now has more GSM cell sites serving more Georgian's. These enhancements were part of the company's 2005, $360 million network investment campaign. Customers should experience improvements in overall call quality, in-building, in-car and street level coverage.

"Providing the most advanced wireless services in the industry isn't going to matter to customers if a voice call doesn't go through and stay connected. Our network integration and expansion means that customers should now receive better overall coverage, improved call quality, and ability to make calls in more places," said Cliff Minor, vice president and general manager for Cingular's Georgia Operations. "We've made a large investment in network enhancements in 2005 and will continue to do so in 2006."

Since its merger with AT&T Wireless last year, Cingular engineers have been working to integrate the two companies' national networks by choosing the best cell site locations from both, eliminating duplicate equipment, and then combining everything on a common network platform. Engineers will continue to optimize the network in the coming weeks following the completion of the integration efforts and preparing for its 2006 expansion campaign.

Now, with the completion of the network integration in Georgia, the two networks can "talk" to each other, establishing the call through the closest site and passing the call seamlessly from site to site. All Cingular customers not only have access to more cell sites, but have all the cell sites in Georgia working together for them.

The company integrated approximately 475 cell sites into its existing network across 108 counties in the state. Fourteen of the 108 counties, now have brand new wireless coverage; 10 counties have 100 percent or more cell site count improvement; and 13 counties have 50-100 percent cell count improvement. By the end of 2006 when the networks have been integrated nationwide, Cingular customers will have access to some 45,000 cell sites.

Areas most significantly impacted by the 2005 expansion initiative include Fayette County, with the number of cell sites serving the county increasing by 238 percent. Some specific areas in Fayette include:

• Increased in-building coverage along Joel Cowan Pkwy SR 74 from Starr’s Mill, Peachtree City and continuing north of Tyrone.

• New coverage for the Graves Lake Dam area just south of Brooks.

• Increased coverage for the city of Fayetteville and the surrounding area.

• Additional coverage extends north and south along Ga. Highway 85 and the Ga. Highway 92 corridors and west along Ga. Highway 54 and the surrounding area.

• New coverage just south of the Willow Pond area SW of Fayetteville and the Mills Dam area northeast of Inman.