Cingular Launches Gift Card Program

ATLANTA (December 6, 2002) - Gift card convenience comes to the wireless industry just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Cingular Wireless announces the availability of gift cards in more than 950 retail locations across the country.

In stores in time for the busiest shopping day of the year, gift cards can be purchased in denominations of $25, $50 and $100 at participating company-owned Cingular Wireless stores and redeemed for accessories, cellular phones and related services.

“Gift cards are a growing trend in retail and we are very excited to be able to offer our customers another way to take the hassle out of shopping for wireless, said Chris Penrose, executive director, consumer acquisition & retention, Cingular Wireless. “The gift cards will also make wonderful holiday gifts that allow friends and family members to pick exactly what they want to best fit their needs.”
 

Gift cards continue to be a hot commodity for retailers because of consumer demand. Of all the types of plastic cards used by U.S. consumers, gift cards now rank fourth (39 percent), according to a recent survey conducted by Fiala, Inc. According to the survey, 69 percent of all gift cards are given during the holidays.

Cingular's gift cards will be processed through existing point-of-sale equipment and immediately activated and redeemable for consumers.

ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS
Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications (NYSE - SBC) and BellSouth (NYSE - BLS), serves more than 22 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, the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. 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 and Mobitex packet data networks. Cingular offers customers advanced technologies in simple, cost-effective ways that permit them to tap the creative potential of wireless through their own self-expression. Details of the company are available at www.cingular.com.