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C Spire Wireless Launches 4G LTE Mobile Broadband Services On Nation's Only Personalized Network In Columbus, Mississippi

2012-09-24

Wireless Provider Activates Its Next-Generation Wireless Voice and Data Network Delivering Speeds Up to 10 Times Faster Than Currently Available

Columbus, Miss. (September 24, 2012) – C Spire Wireless launched the next generation of mobile broadband services in Columbus today with the activation of its 4G (Fourth Generation) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network offering consumers and businesses faster data speeds and advanced capabilities on the nation’s only personalized network.

The company’s 4G LTE launch in Columbus means customers can now enjoy the fastest wireless experience available to download apps and game faster, open files almost instantly, do real-time video chat, surf the mobile web and stream movies, music and video at speeds up to 10 times faster than before.

Company officials will celebrate commercial availability of the new service on Monday, Oct. 1 during a special 11:30 a.m. event at the C Spire retail store in Columbus with local government officials, community leaders and business executives, including Columbus Mayor Robert E. Smith Sr. and Joe Max Higgins Jr., CEO for the Columbus Lowndes Development Link. During the program, officials will conduct the first 4G data download to demonstrate the network’s advanced capabilities.

“We’re pleased that local businesses and consumers in Columbus are in one of the first markets in Mississippi with access to the next generation of mobile broadband services,” said Bryan Templeton, regional manager of Retail Operations for C Spire Wireless. “This technology will improve opportunities for taking care of business on-the-go and carrying out numerous mobile tasks at a pace that’s significantly faster than consumers have ever experienced before on a wireless network.”

C Spire Plans to Offer 4G LTE Services in 31 Mississippi Markets Through October; Another 6 By End of 2012

Columbus is one of 31 Mississippi markets receiving C Spire’s advanced 4G LTE services between now and the end of October. An additional 6 Mississippi markets will be added by the end of 2012 as part of the company’s multi-million dollar investment. The markets cover 2,700 square miles, a population of 1.2 million and 364 cell sites.

“We’re proud of our launch of 4G LTE services in Columbus, but we’re even more excited about continuing to contribute to the economic development of this region,” Templeton said. C Spire has invested $2.5 million since 2008 to expand its network and give Columbus and Lowndes County businesses and consumers the best personalized wireless experience available.

“Introduction of C Spire’s 4G LTE mobile broadband services is good news for the city of Columbus and the surrounding area. C Spire is an important and valued corporate partner of our city and we appreciate their continued investment in our community and in our people,” Smith said. “This announcement reinforces their commitment to providing our residents and businesses with access to the latest wireless technology, a wide variety of advanced devices, plans, apps and more.”

Local business leaders echoed Smith’s praise of the wireless provider’s decision to select Columbus as one of the first markets to receive 4G LTE mobile broadband services. “C Spire’s efforts to expand its 4G LTE services in Columbus will greatly benefit the businesses and residents in the region," Higgins said.

“Access to advanced high-speed wireless data and the services and applications it supports is more important than ever before for businesses to grow and prosper,” Higgins said. “We appreciate the work C Spire is doing to ensure that the benefits of high-speed 4G LTE broadband services reach as many businesses and consumers as possible.”

4G LTE Devices, Solutions and Plans

C Spire customers can choose from several 4G LTE smartphone and connected devices to experience the nation’s only personalized 4G LTE network. Devices include the Motorola PHOTON Q, which is available online and in retail stores for $199.99 with a two-year contract, the Samsung Galaxy S III and the Franklin Wireless 2-in-1 smart USB modem and mobile hotspot, which are coming soon.

The PHOTON Q features a PC-like QWERTY keyboard, a large 4.3-inch Colorboost HD touchscreen display, 1.5 GHz dual core processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich mobile operating system, an 8 megapixel digital zoom rear-facing camera with 1080p capture on playback along with an HD front-facing camera and 8 GB of onboard memory. The device comes with built-in business ready security, productivity and connectivity features with government-grade encryption and VPN.

The Samsung Galaxy S III features a brilliant 4.8 inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display, a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich mobile operating system, 16 GB of onboard storage, an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD quality recording and a removable 2100 mAh battery.

The Franklin Wireless 4G LTE 2-in-1 smart modem and mobile hotspot provides 4G LTE wireless access to any data-enabled devices, including a PC, tablet or smartphone. More details on device availability, pricing, plans and the schedule for introduction of 4G LTE services in new markets can be found at www.cspire.com/4g.

“C Spire 4G LTE gives consumers and businesses more of what they want than ever before on the nation’s only personalized 4G LTE network,” Templeton said.

Personalized Wireless from C Spire gets even better with 4G LTE Mobile Broadband

Personalized wireless from C Spire is a package of different wireless services and programs that combine to reflect and serve each customer’s unique needs. Customers see this unique personalization in apps and content that fit them, services that anticipate their needs, and rewards they get just for using their phone in new ways. In addition to PERCS®, specific examples of C Spire’s industry-first personalized wireless services include SCOUT and CIRCLE.

“4G LTE is the next generation of high-speed mobile broadband services from C Spire that allow you to access SCOUT for recommendations on apps, music, books, and movies; earn PERCS® points through our loyalty program; and engage in CIRCLE, our customer community, faster than ever before,” Templeton said. “Basically with 4G LTE, everything you love about personalized wireless gets to you even faster now.”

For more information about C Spire’s 4G LTE rollout, plans and devices, go to www.cspire.com/4g.

About C Spire Wireless

C Spire Wireless is a diversified wireless communications company passionately committed to helping customers by personalizing wireless services designed just for them. The company is the first wireless provider in the U.S. to personalize customers’ experience by offering apps that fit who they are, services that anticipate their needs, and rewards for using their phone in new ways – all with seamless ease and at amazingly fast speeds. This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire Wireless and its products and services, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or Twitter at www.twitter.com/cspire or Google + or www.pinterest.com/cspirewireless