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

Laurel, Miss. (March 8, 2013) – C Spire Wireless launched the next generation of mobile broadband services in Laurel 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 Laurel 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 representatives will celebrate commercial availability of the new service with local government officials, community leaders and business executives during a special 10:30 a.m. event on Thursday, March 14 at the C Spire retail store in Laurel, 330 North 16th Avenue. 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 Laurel are among the first markets in Mississippi with access to the next generation of mobile broadband services,” said John Hopkins, regional manager of retail services 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 Has Rolled Out 4G LTE Services in 36 Mississippi Markets Since September 2012

Philadelphia is one of 36 Mississippi markets that have received C Spire’s advanced 4G LTE services since September 2012 and one of three that will be activated over the next several weeks. One other market to be activated soon is Vicksburg. All of the markets with 4G LTE service are part of the company’s multi-million dollar investment to bring the next generation of high-speed technology to customers. The markets cover 2,700 square miles, a population of 1.2 million and 365 cell sites.

“We’re proud of our launch of 4G LTE services in Philadelphia, but we’re even more excited about continuing to contribute to the economic development of this region,” Hopkins said, noting that the company launched 4G LTE service in 34 other markets last year. C Spire has invested nearly $6.9 million to expand its network and give Laurel and Jones County businesses and consumers the best personalized wireless experience available.

“C Spire’s introduction of 4G LTE mobile broadband services is good news for the businesses and residents of Laurel. We’re proud that Laurel is one of the first markets to receive this advanced technology, proving C Spire’s commitment to our community as a dedicated corporate partner,” said Mayor Melvin Mack. “C Spire’s 4G LTE deployment will give our businesses, residents and students access to faster speeds, more advanced devices, better apps and so much more.”

Local business leaders echoed Mack’s praise of the wireless provider’s decision to select Laurel as one of the first markets to receive 4G LTE mobile broadband services. “C Spire’s efforts to expand its 4G LTE services in Laurel and Jones County will greatly benefit this region,” said Larkin Simpson, director of the Jones County Chamber of Commerce. “Continued provision of advanced high-speed wireless data and the services and applications it supports are increasingly important to both businesses and consumers. We appreciate the work C Spire is doing to extend the benefits of expanded broadband access to businesses and consumers that rely heavily on wireless technology for work and entertainment.”

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 iPhone 5, the Samsung Galaxy S III, the Motorola PHOTON Q, the Franklin Wireless 2-in-1 smart USB modem and mobile hotspot and a C Spire branded mobile hotspot, which are all available in retail stores.

The iPhone 5, the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, features a 4-inch Retina display, the powerful A6 chip, an 8-megapixel iSight camera with panorama, ultrafast wireless, iOS6 and iCloud.

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 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 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.

The C Spire 4G LTE mobile hotspot features an LCD color display that checks signal strength and battery life and monitors the total number of connections. The 3.6 ounce mobile hotspot provides 4G connections for up to 10 devices at one time, including Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, laptops, desktop computers, tablets and more. Designed for easy use, the device features an 1800mAh battery with five hours of continuous operating time and 18 hours of standby time.

“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,” Hopkins 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® rewards, 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 and rewards program; and engage in CIRCLE, our customer community, faster than ever before,” Hopkins 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