Cellular South to Expand Availability of Advanced 3G Mobile Broadband Services Throughout Much of Mississippi

Next Generation Wireless Gives Customers Faster Internet Connections, New High-Speed Data Services and Multimedia Applications

RIDGELAND, Miss., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellular South unveiled an ambitious plan today to dramatically expand availability of its third-generation (3G) high-speed wireless mobile broadband services to consumer and business customers in 26 counties and 78 cities in Mississippi this year.

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The expansion plan by the nation's largest privately owned wireless carrier means Cellular South will maintain its leadership position as the provider with the most 3G high-speed data coverage in its primary footprint and nationwide. "Our customers count on our network in every way and this plan continues our commitment to help them get the most out of their wireless devices," said Hu Meena, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cellular South.

Under the plan, Cellular South will introduce 3G service in 78 cities across 26 counties during the second and third quarters this year. Coupled with earlier rollouts of its mobile broadband services that began in 2006 and have continued through 2008 in 80 cities and 25 counties, Cellular South 3G high-speed service will be available in areas that reach two out of three Mississippians and in 29 of the state's 30 largest cities.

Delta, Southwest Mississippi and Lauderdale County Will Benefit From Technology Investment

Areas slated for the 3G coverage boost this year feature much of the 15-county Mississippi Delta region as well as 10 counties in southwest Mississippi and Lauderdale County in east Mississippi, including the cities of Cleveland, Greenville, Greenwood, Grenada, Meridian, Natchez, Brookhaven and McComb.

As a result, Cellular South customers in these areas will experience faster uploads and downloads when connecting to the Internet and gain access to new mobile high-speed data services, including mobile video telephony, high-quality music and other multimedia applications, according to Tony Kent, the company's Chief Technology Officer.

"We've deployed 3G high-speed mobile broadband service faster and in more Mississippi markets than any other wireless carrier," Kent said. "From instant e-mail access to downloading music and video, our 3G network is changing the way Mississippi businesses and residents stay connected."

Since 2006, Cellular South has made $350 million in capital investments in Mississippi as part of its broader $530 million overall network investment and expanded availability of 3G high-speed data services to 500 cell sites across its footprint and built 440 new cell sites. In 2009, the company plans to activate 173 new sites to build out its 3G mobile broadband network. In other parts of the state, Cellular South plans to build 50 new cell sites this year to enhance and improve wireless coverage.

Cellular South's network investment will reap long-term benefits for future growth and economic expansion throughout the state of Mississippi, according to Gray Swoope, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the state's leading economic and community development agency. "High-speed wireless service is critical for today's businesses," Swoope said. "We are thrilled with the news that Cellular South, a Mississippi-based company, is investing further in its network and will be adding more wireless coverage to our state."

Chip Morgan, executive director of the 1,200-member Delta Council, praised Cellular South for its decision to invest the new mobile broadband technology in the Mississippi Delta region. "Cellular South's efforts to enhance wireless coverage will greatly benefit the Delta," Morgan said, noting that many businesses considering relocation or expansion examine the telecommunications infrastructure of communities. "High-speed wireless data and the services and applications it supports are becoming increasingly important to both residential and business users."

Likewise, Cliff Brumfield, president of the 2,000-member Southwest Mississippi Partnership, said Cellular South's investment in the area will reap long-term dividends for businesses in the 10-county region. "More businesses are relying on high-speed wireless data for mission-critical and core business communications and applications," Brumfield said. "To have the latest high-speed wireless communications is a tremendous asset for our region as we compete with other areas to attract new business, industry and tourism."

Kent said Cellular South is committed to helping customers get more out of their wireless devices through continued network investment. "In fact, we offer our customers 3G high-speed access on their mobile phones, smart phones and laptop cards in four times as many markets as other carriers in our primary footprint," he said. "And with our nationwide network of networks, no one else has a larger 3G high-speed data network."

The company intends to continue to aggressively invest in its wireless network across the footprint to increase coverage and capacity, Kent said, noting that in addition to its best-in-class nationwide voice and data offerings, Cellular South continues to find new and innovative ways to make customers' wireless experience the best it can be. "We've always believed that even the most advanced wireless device is only as good as the network it runs on," he added.

For more information on Cellular South's 3G high-speed data network or how to get more out of your wireless device, visit www.cellularsouth.com/networks.

About Cellular South

Cellular South is a privately-owned diversified mobile communications company passionately committed to helping customers get the most out of their wireless devices and services. The company accomplishes this goal by providing the most reliable and advanced 3G nationwide wireless voice and data network, offering industry-leading family and unlimited flat rate voice, text and mobile web plans, and through its online and in-store Discover Centers, which give customers easy, simple and convenient tools, tips, advice and information to get the most out of their mobile phone. For more information, visit www.cellularsouth.com.

About Mississippi Development Authority

Mississippi Development Authority is the state's leading economic and community development agency. Nearly 300 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills - all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit www.mississippi.org.

About Delta Council

Delta Council is a regional economic development organization representing 18 counties in northwest Mississippi whose 1,200 members work together to help businesses grow and expand through various programs and activities. Organized in 1935, the group acts as facilitator for area agriculture, business and professional leaders to promote growth, expansion and development in the region. For more information, visit www.deltacouncil.org.

About Southwest Mississippi Partnership

The Southwest Mississippi Partnership is a 10-county regional economic development organization that provides site location assistance, resource and data sharing to businesses considering expansion or relocation through cooperative efforts among its 2,000 members. For more information, visit www.southwestmississippi.com.