Cingular commits to $58 million enhancement plan

Cingular Wireless is making good on its commitment to provide better network performance and customer service.

A $58 million network build-out is under way for Cingular in Missouri. According to a June news release from Cingular, the build-out is one of several initiatives to build a stronger foundation for customer satisfaction.

Cingular's commitment to Missouri and Kansas is part of the company's national plan to invest $3 billion during 2004, adding more cell sites, circuits and switches, for an advanced wireless experience.

The Missouri/Kansas build-out will add more than 160 new cell sites averaging more than two sites per week and nearly triple the number of new sites added in 2003. The sites will provide expanded coverage and increased capacity.

" We are focusing our resources on increasing coverage, particularly in residential areas and in-building locations throughout the region," said Nancy Garvey, vice president and general manager for Cingular Wireless in Missouri and Kansas, in the news release.

Cingular also is strengthening coverage across nearly 64,000 square miles in Missouri and Kansas. Improvements will address hand-held and in-building reception. Cingular will add about 4,400 miles of new coverage.

Other initiatives will work to improve customer service at all points of contact: the initial sale, service, billing, call center contact and online presence. The company already has introduced a new simplified bill, simplified coverage maps, rate plans and self-service enhancements on the Internet.