DETROIT – Cingular Wireless is investing $88 million in its network this year to bring more than 80 new cell sites and high speed data service to customers in Southeast Michigan.
Nationwide, the company spent $6.5 billion on its
network in 2005 and plans to do the same in 2006, bringing its overall
network investment since the company’s 2004 acquisition of AT&T Wireless to
more than $13 billion.
“Our ongoing focus is ensuring Cingular customers have the best
wireless experience possible – which includes unmatched coverage and
quality of service,” said Brian Ducharme, vice president & general manager,
Cingular Wireless-Indiana and Michigan. “We are spending an average of
$240,000 a day to enhance service in this area in an effort to bring
residents of Detroit the highest quality Cingular service available ever —
service that is enhanced by best-in-industry calling plan value and
cutting-edge devices.”
Network enhancements planned for 2006 in Michigan include:
Additional cell sites for the core areas of Grand Rapids, Lansing, and
Kalamazoo.
Improved service for Midland, MI and south of Jackson through Adrian.
3G UMTS deployment across the Detroit metro area late summer 2006.
Enhanced coverage in and around Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions.
Improved coverage along the M-21 Highway, from Lowell to Fowler.
New coverage for residents and visitors in southern Grand Rapids and
Caledonia.
Expanded coverage to Muskegon, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
Expanded coverage to the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston.
Cingular recently launched its third-generation wireless network technology in 16 major cities, with more to follow across
the country. With 3G, customers will access information and applications at
broadband speeds in the office, on the road or at home. The service — via
laptop data cards or 3G-compatible phones this year — provides average
mobile data connections between 400-700Kbps (kilobits per second) on the
downlink with bursts to more than a megabit per second.
