Cingular Positioned for a Checkered-Flag Finish in Phoenix

PHOENIX, April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- As the stock car Series heads West again for the first of two races in Phoenix, Cingular Wireless has again taken the lead in meeting the enhanced communications needs of customers attending this weekend's big race and spreading the excitement of stock car racing to its fans at Cingular stores.

Cingular Wireless announced the activation of two "Cell sites On Wheels," known as "COWs," in the Phoenix market. Cingular is raising the bar in network quality by anticipating the sheer volume of calls from fans at the race. COWs are self-contained portable cell sites that can quickly and easily be brought to a specific location to boost network capacity or restore communications following an emergency situation.

Cingular has several COWs available for use at special events where large crowds can put unusual strain on existing wireless facilities or for use in emergency service situations.

"We know that our customers' number-one priority is being able to make a call or send a text message or photo when they want and where they want," said Mark Appel, Executive Director of Network Operations for Cingular Wireless - Desert Southwest. "By bringing the COWs close to the action, our customers will have the best wireless experience possible while enjoying racing events."

Cingular advises fans to use text messaging as a way to stay in touch with other fans when it's hard to hear at a loud event, such as a race. By sending picture messages from Cingular camera phones, fans can also share their first- hand experience with friends and family members who may be at home tuning in to the action.

Leading up to the race on April 23, the Richard Childress Racing No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driven by NASCAR driver Jeff Burton is embarking upon a six-store tour between April 20 and 22 at Cingular retail locations in the greater Phoenix area. The show car tour is highlighted by a gift-with- purchase promotion offering service activation incentives, such as a free DVD player or MP3 player (two-year service agreement required).

"We're delighted at the opportunity to showcase the Cingular #31 Chevy to fans and customers in the Phoenix area," said Jay Fields, Vice President and General Manager for Cingular Wireless - Desert Southwest. "We have some of the most passionate motorsports fans in the country here and we want them all to come by one of the Cingular stores to check out the car that will hopefully help Jeff Burton win this weekend's race."

No. 31 Cingular Chevrolet Appearances WHEN: Wednesday, April 20 - Friday, April 22 (2 stores each day) WHERE: Cingular Wireless in Chandler 4/20/05 (2:00PM - 3:00PM) 2780 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite #1 Chandler, AZ 85224 Cingular Wireless in Fiesta Village 4/20/05 (4:00PM - 5:00PM) 1240 W. Southern Ave., Suite #2 Mesa, AZ 85202 Cingular Wireless in Deer Valley 4/21/05 (2:00PM - 3:00PM) 2805 West Agua Fria Fwy., Suite #3 Phoenix, AZ 85027 Cingular Wireless Paradise Valley 4/21/05 (4:00PM - 5:00PM) 10645 North Tatum Blvd., Suite #100 Phoenix, AZ 85028 Cingular Wireless in AZ Mills 4/22/05 (2:00PM - 3:00PM) 5000 Arizona Mills Circle, Suite #307 Tempe, AZ 85282 Cingular Wireless in Desert Sky 4/22/05 (4:00PM - 5:00PM) 7515 West Encanto Blvd., Suite #3 Phoenix, AZ 85035 ABOUT JEFF BURTON -- 20th in Cup point standings in 2005 -- Has two wins and four Top 5 finishes in career at Phoenix -- Scored eight top-15 finishes, including one top-five and two top-10 finishes, in his 14 NASCAR Cup series starts after arriving at RCR in August 2004 -- 17 career victories, two poles, 91 top-five and 149 top-10 finishes and finished in the top-10 in the Cup point standings from 1997-2001 -- 1994 NASCAR Cup Rookie-of-the-Year ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS

Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving more than 50 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corporation , has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation and the largest mobile- to-mobile community of any national wireless carrier. Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover(SM), 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 e-mailed to you automatically. Sign up at http://www.cingular.com/newsroom .