Ridgeland, Miss.-based Cellular South, the largest privately-held wireless carrier in the U.S., has announced expanded third-generation coverage in 78 cities across 26 Mississippi counties this year. The ambitious plan allows the company to "maintain its leadership position as the provider with the most 3G high-speed data coverage in its primary footprint and nationwide," according to a release.

"Our customers count on our network in every way and this plan continues our commitment to help them get the most out of their wireless devices," said Hu Meena, president and chief executive officer of Cellular South in a statement.

The Mississippi Delta, southwest Mississippi and Lauderdale County are all targets for the 2009 expansion, including Cleveland, Greenville, Greenwood, Grenada, Meridian, Natchez, Brookhaven and McComb. The company says cellular coverage will be available to two-thirds of the state's population by the end of the year.

Cellular South customers in these expansion areas will experience faster uploads and downloads when connecting to the Internet and gain access to new mobile high-speed data services, including mobile video telephony, high-quality music and other multimedia applications.

Since 2006, Cellular South has made $350 million in capital investments in Mississippi as part of its broader $530 million overall network investment and expanded availability of 3G high-speed data services to 500 cell sites across its footprint and built 440 new cell sites. In 2009, the company plans to activate 173 new sites to build out its 3G mobile broadband network. In other parts of the state, Cellular South plans to build 50 new cell sites this year to enhance and improve wireless coverage.

"High-speed wireless service is critical for today's businesses," said Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director Gray Swoope in the release. "We are thrilled with the news that Cellular South, a Mississippi-based company, is investing further in its network and will be adding more wireless coverage to our state."