AirTouch, Motorola and U.S. Representative Cubin R-WY Donate Wireless Phones and Airtime to Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention Efforts in Wyoming.

CASPER, Wyoming--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 1999--

Casper, Wyoming today joins communities across the nation by participating in CALL to PROTECT: Wireless Phones for Domestic Safety, a nationwide campaign to help protect victims of domestic violence. As part of this effort, AirTouch, Motorola and U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin  (R-WY) are donating 20 wireless phones and two years of free airtime  to the Self Help Center, a domestic violence crisis intervention and prevention program in Casper, Wyoming.

"Domestic violence and spousal abuse are national problems that cut across all boundaries whether economic or ethnic," said Representative Cubin. "Those subjected to the physical and mental anguish in the one place they should feel safest, their own homes, need our assistance and understanding."

"Wireless phones are important tools in protecting victims of domestic violence," said Tom Wurtz, branch manager for AirTouch in Wyoming. "The police and other emergency services now are just a push button away when domestic violence victims feel threatened or are in danger."

A national poll conducted by the Wireless Foundation shows that 72% of the public believe wireless phones provide victims of domestic violence with safety in the first crucial days of separating from an abusive partner. Rita Smith, Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, has praised the CALL to PROTECT campaign. "CALL to PROTECT is a significant aid to individuals in abusive situations and is making an important contribution to educating the public about the signs of domestic violence," she said.

"Motorola is pleased to take its long history in wireless technology and apply it to saving lives through the CALL to PROTECT initiative," said Denise Gibson, Vice President and General Manager for U.S. Strategic Account Operations, Motorola.

As part of the program, AirTouch and Motorola are providing:

-- Wireless telephones to victims of domestic violence. The phones are pre-programmed so victims can reach 911 and other emergency services with the push of a button when they feel threatened.

-- Wireless phones to family violence professionals, victim assistance volunteers and family violence case workers to help them contact victims and report abuse.

-- Information on how to recognize the five key signs of domestic violence and steps to take to help those in need.

"Frequently, domestic violence victims have no means to call for immediate assistance or protection from perpetrators," said Liz Baron, executive director for the Self Help Center. "Wireless phones can make a big difference to both staff and victims by providing instant and easy access to law enforcement and the 24-hour domestic violence hotline."

As part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the wireless industry is requesting that citizens take time to "Give Back" through the CALL to PROTECT "Give Back" campaign. The goal is to collect no longer used wireless phones that are too valuable to throw away and can still be useful. Through

the CALL to PROTECT "Give Back" campaign phones will be recycled and provided to domestic violence shelters so that even more potential victims can have increased safety and mobility.

"There's more than one way to reach out and touch someone's life, and donating unused cell phones and accessories to help fight domestic violence is one of the best," said Cubin. "It's estimated that throughout Wyoming there are hundreds if not thousands of cell phones sitting in drawers, collecting nothing but dust. I urge everyone to donate their unused phones to CALL to PROTECT and join the battle against domestic abuse and violence."

Used wireless phones can be dropped off at any of the following locations: -0-

Casper District Office        Cheyenne District Office
100 East "B" Street           2120 Capitol Avenue
Suite 4003                    Room 2015
Casper, WY  82601             Cheyenne, WY 82001

Rock Spring District Office
2515 Foothills Blvd
Suite 204
Rock Springs, WY  82901

AirTouch serves more than 9 million U.S. cellular and PCS customers on a proportionate basis. Its ventures operate in 25 states and 22 of the top 30 U.S. markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. AirTouch is part of Vodafone AirTouch Plc, the world's largest wireless communications firm, based in the United Kingdom. It has mobile operations in 23 countries on five continents, with more than 31 million proportionate cellular customers. For more information, visit the AirTouch web site at www.airtouch.com.

Motorola is a global leader in advanced electronic systems and services. It liberates the power of technology by creating software-enhanced products that provide integrated customer solutions and Internet access via wireless and satellite communications, as well as computing, networking, and automotive electronics. Motorola also provides essential digital building blocks in the form of embedded semiconductors, controls and systems. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 billion.

The Wireless Foundation initiates and oversees strategic corporate philanthropy programs utilizing wireless communications to make communities safer, families more secure and teachers more effective. For additional information on the wireless industry, please visit CTIA's Web site at www.wow-com.com.