Ultra-Fast Network Delivers Average Data Speeds of 400-700 Kbps
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Wireless users feeling the need
for speed now have the Cingular Wireless mobile broadband network to
consider. The nation's largest wireless carrier today begins offering its
3G (third generation) wireless broadband service throughout the
metropolitan areas of Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Cape Canaveral,
Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Tallahassee, including the campuses of the
University of Florida, Florida State University, University of North
Florida, Bethune-Cookman College, and Stetson University, as well as at the
major airports in these cities and at the Daytona International Speedway.
Cingular 3G not only offers advanced wireless services, such as viewing
video clips, it enhances existing services by making them run faster.
Customers can now download a game or ring tone, or access e-mail, in a
fraction of the time it used to take. Additionally, Cingular customers
using a 3G handset can access all the company's data services whenever
they're connected to the Cingular network.
"In today's fast-paced society, people are always on the go and have a
craving for quick access to information," said Rudy Hermond, vice president
and general manager for Cingular's West, Central, and North Florida
markets. "Our 3G service gives them the ability to watch their favorite
sports and shows on their phone while waiting in line to grab a seat at a
restaurant. We're providing customers with an 'invisible wire' that extends
their broadband experience beyond their office or home."
Cingular customers can now use the 3G mobile broadband network to
rapidly access e-mail, browse the Internet, connect to business
applications, or watch video clips while on-the-go throughout Brevard,
Volusia, Alachua, Duval, and Leon counties.
Cingular's 3G network provides average download data speeds between
400- 700 kilobits per second with bursts to over one megabit per second.
The company currently provides 3G services in approximately 145 cities, 65
markets and 33 states, in addition to Washington D.C.
Cingular's HSDPA/UMTS (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access/Universal
Mobile Telecommunications System) technology makes it possible for people
to enjoy a wide variety of wireless content and gives Cingular the
advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services to customers
based upon the global standard for wireless communications - GSM (Global
System for Mobile Communications). For businesses and consumers, this means
more feature-rich services and content, and for Cingular, a more economical
method for carrying traffic and more efficient use of spectrum.
PERSONAL MOBILITY - FAST AND FURIOUS
Customers who want to watch video highlights of a game or view
highlights of a number of HBO's series including "Curb Your Enthusiasm,"
"Entourage" or "The Wire," can see it all -- and more -- by signing up for
Cingular Video. Cingular Video is an on-demand streaming video service with
a large selection of popular mobile content that can be viewed on
3G-capable Cingular phones.
"We've tailored Cingular Video so that customers can quickly and easily
personalize and access the information that's most important to them," said
Hermond. "Imagine the soccer mom getting regular video weather updates, or
the business person checking the latest action on Wall Street with
headlines from NBC -- all from their wireless phone."
Cingular Video includes local weather forecasts in 100 cities across
the country. Basic Cingular Video service includes more options for
families from media outlets including ABC TV, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim,
CMT, CNN, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, Disney Mobile Studios, ESPN, FOX
Sports, FOX News, FOX TV, FUEL, HBO Family (premium), HBO Mobile (premium),
iFilm, Jayski Alerts, MTV, Music Choice, NASCAR.com To Go (premium), NCAA
Championship Sports Content, NBC, Nickelodeon, Richard Childress Racing,
SPEED, Spike, The Weather Channel, TV Guide Channel and VH1. In addition to
Cingular Video, Cingular offers MobiTV, which features more than 20
channels of live television.
Cingular currently offers several 3G devices, including the LG CU500,
now available for as low as $0 when you buy one for $49.99 and get the
second one free after a $50 mail-in rebate and media package purchase with
a two-year activation per phone; the Samsung Sync for $49.99 after a $100
mail-in-rebate with a two-year agreement; the Samsung BlackJack(TM) for
$149.99 after a $150 mail-in rebate with a two-year agreement, qualified
voice plan and unlimited data plan; and the Cingular 8525 available for
$399.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year agreement, qualified
voice plan and unlimited data plan. Cingular Video requires a $19.99 MEdia
Net Unlimited data package. Premium content, such as HBO Mobile, is
available on an additional monthly subscription basis, while other content,
such as music video clips from Music Choice, is available on a pay-per-view
basis for a 24-hour period of time.
MOBILIZING BUSINESS AT HIGH-SPEED
Utilizing its 3G network, Cingular's LaptopConnect solutions give
businesses the ability to use their laptops to access the Internet or
e-mail, download large files and attachments, or run corporate business
applications at average data speeds between 400-700 Kbps (kilobits per
second) on the downlink, with bursts to more than a megabit per second.
"Businesses need the same fast reliable access to information whether
they're working from a desktop in their office or making a presentation to
a customer at an offsite location," said Jeff Bradley, vice president for
Cingular's Business Markets Group. "They don't want to wait for a large
contract to download or access their company's intranet site to check
inventory status. With BroadbandConnect, they don't have to anymore."
Cingular LaptopConnect combines either an external LaptopConnect card
or an integrated modem within a Laptop and Cingular's Communication Manager
to provide access to the 3G network. The service also offers additional
security features compared to alternative wireless technologies.
Customers can purchase either an Option Wireless or Sierra Wireless
laptop modem card for $49.99, after rebate, when they sign up for a
two-year, Unlimited Data Connect plan. Customers can also purchase a Dell
Latitude D620 or Dell Latitude D820 at http://www.cingular.com/dell.
Cingular's Unlimited DataConnect plan is currently $59.99 per month for
customers who sign up for a two-year term and have a qualifying voice plan
with Cingular.
Additionally, business customers traveling outside the United States
can select one of two international data plans. Cingular DataConnect North
America ($109.99 for 100MB) for travel within Canada and Mexico, and
DataConnect Global ($139.99 for 100MB), an overseas plan - both include
unlimited data usage on Cingular's domestic data networks. Cingular is the
first and only carrier in the world to offer a single card/single rate plan
solution for international travelers.
All Cingular LaptopConnect cards and Integrated modems are tri-band
HSDPA/UMTS (850/1900/2100Mhz) and quad-band EDGE/GPRS (Enhanced Data Rates
for Global Evolution/General Packet Radio Service) in four bands
(850/900/1800/1900Mhz), which means the devices are interoperable between
the company's nationwide EDGE network, its 3G network and can be used in
more than 110 countries around the world. With a Cingular LaptopConnect
card, customers can have single-card mobile broadband access to data
services in more places worldwide than offered by any other U.S. carrier.
THE TECHNOLOGY: HSDPA/UMTS
HSDPA is the high-speed evolution of GSM/EDGE, which shares a common
core network and therefore, is backward compatible with EDGE/GPRS.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, customers will
automatically receive service on the company's EDGE network. The Cingular
EDGE network is available to 270 million people in more than 13,000 cities
and towns and in areas along 40,000 miles of highways, providing average
data speeds up to 135 Kbps. GSM is the world's most popular wireless
technology, which is used by international wireless carriers to serve more
than two billion people world-wide, enabling Cingular customers to make and
receive voice calls in nearly 200 countries.
The launch is part of the company's $340 million investment in its
Florida network this year. Over the past three years, Cingular has invested
more than $1 billion in Florida adding new cell sites, back-up generators
and batteries and improving overall coverage and capacity.
About Cingular Wireless
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States,
serving 58.7 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc.
(NYSE: T) and BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital
voice and data network in the nation -- the ALLOVER(TM) network -- and the
largest mobile-to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier.
Cingular is a leader in third generation wireless technology. Its 3G
network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA
(High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular is the only U.S.
wireless carrier to offer Rollover(r), the wireless plan that lets
customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are
available at http://www.cingular.com/. Get Cingular Wireless press releases
emailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://cingular.mediaroom.com/.
SOURCE Cingular Wireless
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Related links:
http://www.cingular.com
http://cingular.mediaroom.com
http://www.cingular.com/dell
CONTACT:
Kelly Starling of Cingular Wireless,
+1-561-301-1414, or kelly.starling@cingular.com
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