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Jan 3 2005

Cingular Wireless customers in North and South Carolina who use wireless data services are in for big gains -- in performance and speed. Cingular today announced the deployment of EDGE (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) technology in its North and South Carolina markets.

Building on more than a decade of wireless data experience, Cingular's EDGE technology enables wireless data services with data speeds typically three times faster than those available on GSM/GPRS networks. Cingular's rollout of EDGE in the Carolinas means that customers in these markets who are activated on Cingular data-enabled rate plans can now enjoy faster speeds when accessing the Internet from a wireless phone or laptop, or while sending and receiving digital images.

To enjoy these benefits, Cingular data customers will need to obtain an EDGE-enabled device such as the Nokia 6620, or the Sony Ericsson GC83 EDGE PC card to take advantage of faster speeds.

"Our EDGE rollout demonstrates Cingular's continuing progress and evolution in advanced technology deployment," said Hap Hall, executive director of network for Cingular in the Carolinas. "EDGE is currently recognized as the most economical way to overlay GSM/GPRS to achieve Next Generation capabilities, and we're proud to be delivering EDGE-enhanced wireless data services to our customers."

Based on GSM, the worldwide standard for wireless communications, Cingular's EDGE network provides customers with the fastest national wireless data connections. Customers can receive average data connection speeds up to 135 kilobits per second depending on the device used. EDGE is available to over 220 million people in more than 8,500 cities and towns, and in areas along 30,000 miles of interstate highways. Rob Forsyth, Cingular's vice president and general manager for the Carolinas, underscored the company's commitment to the area and to continual network investments.

"By the end of 2004, we will have invested more than $105 million in our North and South Carolina networks, and we aren't stopping there. Next year you'll continue to see Cingular enhance our network in the region to deliver an even better network experience, including fewer blocked calls and better in-building penetration," Forsyth said.

Cingular's EDGE technology is ideally suited for mobile professionals and small to medium businesses that want the benefits of wireless Web access but find enterprise-level solutions cost-prohibitive. Customers using their handsets to access the Internet can take advantage of Cingular's Wireless Internet Express service. Those wanting to connect via a laptop or PDA can take advantage of Cingular's Laptop Connect service which features easy-to- install software that allows customers to quickly establish high-speed wireless connections. The company also recently announced its plans to begin deploying the nation's fastest high-speed mobile wireless data network based on international standards. Cingular will deploy UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) networks in a number of major urban and suburban markets beginning in 2005. The third generation network will offer average data speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second (Kbps), and bursts to several megabits per second on capable devices.

Cingular's recent acquisition of AT&T Wireless provided the company with the spectrum necessary to build the next generation networks. Cingular pioneered the development of GSM at both 850 and 1900 MHz and intends to make the high-speed network available to not only its regional and rural roaming partners but also enable regional and rural carriers to deploy UMTS services on their networks as well. ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving more than 46 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between SBC Communications (NYSE: SBC) and BellSouth (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation and the largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(SM), the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com .