Cingular Interactive Introduces Operation Platinum Standard to Continue Meeting Service and Coverage Needs.

Business/Technology Editors

WOODBRIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2001

Multi-Faceted Initiative Designed to Accommodate Future Subscriber

Growth And Address the Shifting Wireless Data Usage Environment

Wireless data industry leader Cingular Interactive today introduced Operation Platinum Standard(SM), a comprehensive $50 million program designed to enhance the nationwide Cingular Interactive Intelligent Wireless Network(SM) to meet the coverage and performance expectations of customers and partners as forecasted subscriber totals continue growing dramatically during the next few years.

Operation Platinum Standard is an expansion of a series of initiatives undertaken in the past year to augment coverage and service for subscribers, particularly in major metropolitan areas. Under the broad-reaching Operation Platinum Standard program, Cingular Interactive, formerly BellSouth Wireless Data, during 2001 plans to:

- Introduce two major software revisions for the network that are expected to
more than double the network's switching capacity;

- Deploy at least six additional sub-networks to increase the overall
efficiency and capacity of the Intelligent Wireless Network, doubling the
number of sub-networks in operation at the end of 2000. Sub-networks are
software-based switches that divide the national network into regional entities
that are connected together via a frame relay-powered backbone;

- Commission at least 300 new base stations in key metropolitan areas across
the country, including on the premises of major customers, and continue adding
channels to existing base stations; and

- Continue to provide key customers with multiple connections to the network to
more effectively distribute traffic.

Beyond 2001, Cingular Interactive expects to introduce at least one additional major software revision for the network that will utilize next-generation switching platforms so that customers continue to experience low latency and high reliability in a seven-figure subscriber environment.

"All of these initiatives under Operation Platinum Standard are being done with one thing in mind - we want our customers and partners to have an excellent network experience in terms of performance and coverage as our subscriber numbers continue to reach new heights," said William Hogg, Chief Technical Officer for Cingular Interactive. "This strategic effort is two-pronged - to build capacity within the overall network as well as increase coverage in major metropolitan areas to meet our customers' wireless data communications requirements.

"The usage paradigm for wireless data is shifting dramatically," Hogg noted. "Wireless data networks in general were originally built to meet the needs of mobile workforces to stay connected with the office and access critical information while on-the-go. Now, more and more companies are using wireless data in a campus environment so that their employees can use the many new and exciting applications that are becoming available to wirelessly communicate with each other and access information within a single location. Operation Platinum Standard is designed to meet the needs of companies embracing this new usage environment."

Cingular Interactive is experiencing over 100 percent growth in subscribers annually. The company closed the year 2000 with more than 570,000 total subscribers, up from just over 200,000 in 1999. It added on average about 90,000 net subscribers per quarter in 2000.

Cingular Interactive completed several initiatives during 2000 to address the service and coverage needs of customers and partners. The company installed four new sub-networks in 2000 to boost the total number to six - serving the New York Metropolitan area, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. It commissioned nearly 240 base stations - many of them in high usage areas - bringing the total number to over 2,000, while adding channels to existing base stations. It also gave key customers multiple connections to the network and installed software enhancements to enable the network to operate more efficiently.

The core of the Cingular Interactive Intelligent Wireless Network provides extensive and seamless coverage, high reliability, low latency and other key features. It is the power behind Cingular Interactive's industry-leading services under Cingular(SM) MyBiz(SM) Interactive, including Interactive Messaging PLUS, as well as such cutting edge solutions as the Palm VII(TM) connected organizer, America Online's AOL Mobile Communicator(SM), Fidelity(R) InstantBroker(SM) and the BlackBerry(TM) wireless e-mail solution. Smart Business Magazine selected the Cingular Interactive Intelligent Wireless Network as an MVP Award Winner as the "Best of the Best" wireless data network in 2001 and 1999.

Cingular Interactive, headquartered in Woodbridge, N.J., is an expert in providing proven wireless data communications solutions that eliminate the barriers between critical information and mobile users; it also provides telemetry and transactions applications. Cingular Interactive operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, covering more than 93 percent of the urban business population located in 492 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs with a total population of 200 million people. Recognized as the industry leader, the company was the recipient of several major awards from such entities as Microsoft, Smart Business, FedEx, PC Computing, Frost & Sullivan, Wireless Week and Mobile Insights. Web site address: www.cingularinteractive.com.

Cingular Interactive is a business unit of Cingular Wireless. Cingular Wireless is the second largest wireless carrier in the U.S., and is dedicated to self-expression and customer-friendly service. As a leader in mobile voice and data communications, Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth, currently serves 20 million customers nationwide. Cingular's vision is to grow rapidly by offering customers advanced technologies in simple, cost-effective ways that permit them to tap the creative potential of wireless through their own self-expression. Details of the company are available at www.cingular.com.