AUGUSTA, Ga. – Just in time for the 72nd Masters, Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, has activated a new cell site in Augusta, one of eight sites turned on in Georgia in the first quarter of this year.
The digital site, located near the South Carolina-Georgia state line, provides coverage in and around the Augusta area, including the Augusta National Golf Club. Another three cell sites are expected to come online in April or early May.
The recently activated sites will improve wireless coverage and call quality in Augusta, Morven, Fitzgerald, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Ft. Benning, Tifton and Guyton. Throughout all of 2008, Alltel's network operations team plans to add another 24 cell sites to its growing Georgia digital footprint.
Last year, Alltel invested more than $29 million to improve its wireless network and enhance call quality for consumers in rural and urban communities across the state of Georgia.
"At Alltel Wireless, our customers have come to expect superb coverage whenever and wherever they go -- including the home of one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments, The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club," said Jack Luciani, Alltel's vice president of retail services for southeastern Georgia. "Our capital investment in 2007 is not the end of our commitment to one of our most important markets. Alltel plans to continue expanding America's largest network in 2008 to more customers and more communities."
Alltel's investment will include the ongoing expansion of Alltel's broadband Wireless Internet service to several markets, as well as cell site and switching equipment upgrades. Each of the new digital cell sites activated by Alltel's network operations team will improve wireless coverage, capacity or call quality in Georgia's rural and urban areas, and improve call quality and coverage for motorists traveling along the state's highway and interstate system.
Alltel expanded its broadband Wireless Internet service in Augusta and Albany in 2007. Wireless Internet uses next generation technology to provide customers with unlimited wireless access to the Internet at speeds comparable to wired broadband connections such as cable modems or DSL.
The recent expansion in Albany added Wireless Internet coverage in and around McRae and Abbeville and in and around Blakely, connecting both areas to the existing coverage centered on Albany. The Augusta rollout extends coverage through Orangeburg and Aiken to Columbia, S.C. Wireless Internet service is also available in Columbus and Savannah.
Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, providing coverage across the country, has more than 12 million wireless customers. For more information about Alltel, please visit www.alltel.com.