Cingular brings 3G to more than 160 markets Posted: 21-Dec-2006 [Source: Cingular] [Cingular's 3G network now extends from San Francisco to New York and from Chicago to Dallas.] Atlanta -- Cingular said its 3G mobile broadband network now extends from San Francisco to New York, and from Chicago to Dallas, making advanced wireless services available in more than 160 markets, including most of the top 100 major cities in the country. The company's 3G network offers advanced wireless services, such as viewing video clips, and enhances existing wireless services by making them run faster. Customers can now download a game or ringtone, 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. "We're delivering on a commitment we made to our customers to enhance our core network and extend our 3G services nationally," said Ed Reynolds, president of Network Services for Cingular. "We will continue investing in and building out our 3G network so that customers across the country can experience all the benefits that wireless communications can deliver." Cingular customers can now use its 3G mobile broadband network to rapidly access e-mail, browse the Internet, connect to business applications, or watch video clips while on-the-go whether standing under the Space Needle in Seattle or partying along Miami's South Beach. Cingular's 3G network provides average download data speeds between 400- 700 kilobits per second with bursts to over one megabit. HSDPA/UMTS 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. 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. HSDPA is the high-speed evolution of GSM/EDGE (Global System for Mobile Communication), 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 more than 270 million people in 13,000 cities and towns and in areas along 40,000 miles of highways, providing average data speeds up to 135Kbps. GSM is the world's most popular wireless technology, which is used by international wireless carriers to serve more than two billion people worldwide and enabling Cingular customers to make/receive voice calls in nearly 200 countries and access data services in more than 115 countries. With select 3G devices, customers traveling internationally can receive mobile broadband connections in more than two dozen countries. Consumers can use Cingular Video to watch video highlights 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. They can also view highlights of a number of HBO's series including "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Entourage" or "The Wire." Business customers can use Cingular's LaptopConnect solutions to access the Internet or e-mail, download large files and attachments, or run corporate business applications. 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.