DES MOINES, Iowa (AFX) - Cingular Wireless said Tuesday it will spend $16 million this year to expand its cellular telephone coverage in Iowa. The expansion includes the construction of 40 additional cell sites in the state, according to Jeff Harkman, Cingular vice president and general manager for Iowa.
Last year, Cingular spent about $19 million on new cell sites, switching devices, portable generators and other equipment. It was part of the Atlanta-based company's $6.2 billion investment in wireless network improvements nationwide, Harkman said.
The company has added 24 cell sites in Iowa so far this year, which enabled the company to add new service or enhance existing service.
Cingular said it also plans to add 31 new cell sites in Nebraska. That expansion plan will cost about $12 million this year. The company spent about $6 million in Nebraska last year.
Cingular, a joint venture between AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp., said it has 57.3 million customers in the U.S.
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