2008 EXCELLENCE AWARD RECIPIENT

CellularSouth
Ridgeland, Mississippi

Brothers Wade H. Creekmore, Jr. and James H. Creekmore, Sr. co-founded
Cellular South in February 1988 with its first network on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The company is an affiliate of Telapex, Inc., which also includes Delta Telephone
Company, Franklin Telephone Company, Branch Cable and Telepak Networks.

Cellular South introduced wireless service with Ole Miss football legend Archie
Manning making the inaugural call to then-U.S. Representative, Trent Lott, in
Washington, D.C. With that call, Cellular South was launched and has grown
steadily year after year, becoming one of the nation’s largest privately-held wireless
companies and an award-winning wireless industry leader. The Creekmores, along with Wade, Jr.’s son-in-law, Hu Meena, have steered Cellular South through the growth of the wireless industry by operating under the original vision of providing the bestservice possible through an intense focus on customer satisfaction and building a high quality network.

Cellular South, headquartered in Ridgeland, is licensed to provide wireless service in five southeastern states with a population totaling over 5.8 million. The company operates 75 retail outlets in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle; three Mississippi-based call centers; an online store and answer center at cellularsouth.com; and a state-of-the-art technical operations center in downtown Jackson, Mississippi.

More than $700 million has been invested in network infrastructure since 1999, including constructing 1,403 new cellular sites, a high-speed wireless broadbandnetwork and a permanent microwave ring for redundancy across the Gulf Coast region. The best of the best nationwide networks are selected to provide its customers with superior nationwide coverage. The company’s dependable network
survived Hurricane Katrina, the nation’s worst natural disaster and, for many, was the first and only means of communication available during and after the storm.

Cellular South’s best-in-class flat rate, unlimited calling, text and data plans give customers more freedom and flexibility with their phone. The company’s goal is to allow its customers to get the most out of their wireless device by providing easy-to-use and understand applications that help them manage their busy lives efficiently and effectively with access to a world of information when and where they need it.

Community service is a top priority and a core value. More than $2 million has been donated to fund scholarships, endowments and building funds at Mississippi’s eight public universities. The Cellular South Foundation was formed out of its desire to help employees who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.

In early 2008, Cellular South celebrated its twentieth anniversary, a rarity in the telecommunications industry, which has become known for mergers, acquisitions and brand name changes. Throughout its history, Cellular South has strived to do things the right way for its customers and employees, including a culture of continuous improvement to create the best customer experience possible, as well as a great place to work and grow.