Cingular Wireless announced it will invest more than $165 million into its Louisiana network this year, some of which will help rebuild hurricane-damaged wireless infrastructure.

The 2006 investment will bring more than 60 new cell sites, permanent generators, integration of the network assets of the former AT&T Wireless, new switching facilities to improve call routing capabilities and an overall capacity boost to Cingular's AllOver Network.

"Since the hurricanes devastated the region last year, Cingular has been dedicated to helping Louisiana rebuild its infrastructure and our multimillion dollar network investment again this year is proof of that commitment," Joe Larussa, Cingular’s vice president and general manager, said in a statement. "This year's investment will strengthen and expand our network reach in rural communities and boost emergency back-up power with the addition of more than 150 new generators — so that our customers have access to advanced wireless services."

Cingular invested more than $144 million in Louisiana network improvements last year. Nationwide, the company spent about $6.5 billion. It expects to invest about the same amount this year, bringing its overall investment since the company's 2004 acquisition of AT&T Wireless to about $13 billion.

Network enhancements planned for 2006 in Louisiana include: the greater New Orleans area and southeast, southwest and north Louisiana. Cingular will have completed the AT&T network integration by the end of the first quarter of 2006.