ALEXANDRIA, La.-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. said it expects to invest $84.5 million this year in its Louisiana network, including the deployment of GSM technology into the Alexandria and Lake Charles markets the carrier recently acquired from Sprint PCS affiliate US Unwired Inc. Along with the network upgrades, Cingular plans to introduce 19 GSM handsets this month into the markets as well as its recently launched GSM Nation rate plans, which forgo additional roaming or long-distance charges for calls made from any GSM network in the country.
“The GSM upgrade is part of our ongoing commitment to deliver the best technology, products and performance to our customers,” said Joe Ribando, director of sales for Cingular in Louisiana. “The customer is our No. 1 priority, and we have more than 2,400 Louisiana employees who are committed to providing each one of them with the quality service they have come to expect.”