Improving Coverage for the G8

Cingular Wireless says that it is enhancing its advanced GSM/GPRS network in Sea Island, Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia in preparation for this year's Group of Eight (G8) Summit. The G8 Summit is expected to bring government officials and news media from around the world during June. The company has worked with local, state and federal government officials since last year to determine voice and data coverage needs in the region and has already invested more than $2 million to increase network capacity and coverage along Georgia's coast.

'As the world converges on Savannah and Sea Island, all eyes will be on the region, and we want to do our part to ensure that residents and visitors will have a positive wireless experience,'said Clifford Minor, vice president and general manager, Cingular Wireless-Georgia. 'The expansion will not only benefit G8 attendees -- the additions will remain in place to enhance the wireless service for our customers who live in or travel to these coastal communities.'

Cingular is enhancing 16 cell sites in Savannah's central area, and adding one new cell site in Brunswick and three on Sea Island, all to increase coverage and capacity in these key areas. In January the company added a new cell site in Brunswick to increase coverage in the northern part of the city near the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The company has three COWs -- 'cellular on wheels'-- mobile cell sites that can support additional capacity quickly and easily. One COW will be positioned at the Savannah Convention Center to cover the Westin Hotel and the River Walk District. The other two will be available as needed.

'We have worked hard to serve Georgia for the past 20 years and are pleased to support the state and local coastal communities to ensure they have access to the best network and best wireless services available,' said Minor. 'In 2003, we invested more than $200 million in expanding our Georgia network and we will continue to improve our network to ensure our customers'continued satisfaction.'"

Posted to the site on 11th May 2004