AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless Complete Joint Venture
Companies will now begin roll out of next generation networks along U.S. highways
Atlanta - March 13, 2003 AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless announced today that
they have officially formed the joint venture to build out GSM/GPRS (Global System
for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) service targeting more than
4,000 miles of rural highways in the continental United States.
The companies also announced that they amended the agreement to include building
GSM/GPRS networks along major highways in Vermont and New Hampshire as well as highways
in Upstate New York, in addition to the targeted highways in Arizona, Colorado,
Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.
"Our joint venture is a win for AT&T Wireless and for our customers," said John
Zeglis, chairman and CEO of AT&T Wireless. "Our customers will have next generation
network coverage in more markets in less time. And we can make it happen at a much
lower capital expense."
"This joint venture further expands the reach of the world's most popular wireless
technology, bringing better coverage for both our customers and those of the greater
GSM community at large," said Stan Sigman, President and CEO of Cingular Wireless.
Operations are expected to commence in the first quarter of this year with various
sections of highway network being completed in 2003 and 2004.
About AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless (NYSE: AWE) is the second-largest wireless carrier, based on revenues, in the United States. With 20.859 million subscribers as of December 31, 2002, and full-year 2002 revenues exceeding $15.6 billion, AT&T Wireless will continue delivering advanced high-quality mobile wireless communications services, voice or data, to businesses and consumers, in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, please visit us at www.attwireless.com.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. Details of the company are available at www.cingular.com.