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Ridgeland, MS - (November 14, 2008) – – Cellular South, a leader in wireless solutions and innovation, today announced it has further improved its network capabilities in Hattiesburg and Forrest County to deliver top-notch service for Cellular South customers. The wireless provider has invested more than $10 million over the past two years to provide significant wireless service and network coverage upgrades for its customers in the region.
As part of the company's commitment to providing the best wireless service, Cellular South has extended its high-speed (3G) wireless data network in the region. The $1.5 million improvements allow customers to download applications, music and media at faster speeds.
The Mississippi-based company is the first wireless carrier to deploy the advanced high-speed technology in the Hattiesburg and other parts of Forrest County. Customers now experience faster uploads and downloads when connecting to the Internet, and new mobile high-speed data services, including mobile video telephony, high-quality music and other multimedia applications, according to Tony Kent, senior vice president of Engineering and Operations for Cellular South.
"From instant e-mail access, to downloading music, Cellular South's 3G network changes the way Hattiesburg and Forrest County businesses and residents stay connected," Kent said. "This updated network offers incredibly fast speeds and convenient broadband Internet access backed by one of the most trusted names in wireless service."
"Cellular South is constantly working to expand and upgrade our network to provide our customers with superior wireless service," Kent said. "This commitment will increase capacity for voice and data usage, strengthen our coverage and improve our customers' overall wireless experience."
In addition to expanding its high-speed network in the area, Cellular South has installed a new $6 million network switching facility in Hattiesburg, providing a higher level of network capacity in the Southeast Mississippi and Gulf Coast regions. The close proximity of the facility will decrease the distance that wireless signals need to travel, and the increased capacity will allow the system to handle network activity more efficiently, allowing Cellular South to deliver calls, text messages and data more quickly.
"Cellular South's efforts to enhance wireless coverage in Hattiesburg will greatly benefit our city and the region," said Mayor Johnny L. DuPree, 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," DuPree said.
Dr. Angeline Godwin, president of the 1,200-member Area Development Partnership in Hattiesburg, said expansion of Cellular South's 3G high-speed data transmission network, its new Hattiesburg network switching facility and placement of the regional microwave ring will help area businesses and residents in the aftermath of natural disasters and other emergencies. "These investments and new facilities by Cellular South will help ensure that essential communications for residential and business customers continue even when we experience severe weather and other life-threatening situations," Godwin said.
The Hattiesburg facility was built to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy winds of up to 200 miles per hour. The building has two roofs for additional protection against tornado activity, as well as triple power back-up – including both built-in battery back-up and a heavy-duty generator providing reserve power – to ensure that the network stays up and running during inclement weather and emergencies. Additionally, the new facility will be monitored around the clock from the Cellular South Network Operations Control Center, ensuring reliable service and immediate troubleshooting capabilities.
"We recognize the importance of a strong network and high levels of redundancy to provide increased wireless security, especially during hurricane season and other natural disasters," Kent said. "Our customers depend on their cell phones and a reliable network to communicate with loved ones during and after a storm. We are determined to live up to the trust our customers have placed in us and continue to be the network they can count on in any situation."
To provide additional protection for the Cellular South network in the event of natural disasters, including hurricanes or tornadoes, the wireless provider also has installed a $3 million permanent microwave ring along the Mississippi Gulf Coast for redundancy and wireless security. The microwave ring circles through Hattiesburg and allows Cellular South to deliver calls more effectively in areas that experience land-line disruptions during times of disaster.
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. "Even the most advanced wireless device is only as good as the network it runs on," he added.
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 unlimited flat rate 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.
