AirTouch Cellular moves Southwest Customer Service Call Center to Tempe, Ariz.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 1997--

- $10 Million Operation will Create 150 New Jobs -

In a move to increase market focus and provide unsurpassed service to customers, AirTouch Cellular has announced that it will move its customer service operation for the Southwest region from Bellevue, Wash. to Tempe. The new call center represents a $10 million investment and will create more than 150 new jobs.

The new 67,000 square foot call center, which also is the new site for the Southwest market headquarter office currently located at 2201 East Camelback Road, will be located at 8160 South Hardy Drive in Tempe. AirTouch Cellular selected this location because of its proximity to Arizona State University, Sky Harbor Airport, restaurants and shopping which makes it an attractive location for employees.

"As the largest cellular carrier in the Southwest we have been able to experience first-hand the business climate the Valley of the Sun offers," said Terry Kramer, vice president and general manager for AirTouch Cellular in the Southwest. "It has been a good place for AirTouch to do business and we are pleased to contribute to the health of the economy by establishing an even stronger local presence."

"We are pleased that AirTouch Cellular has chosen Tempe for its customer service operation," said Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano. "This new facility will enhance the economic stability of our community as well as provide job opportunities for our labor pool."

The transition of employees to the center will begin later this quarter. Current AirTouch employees supporting the Southwest will be given the opportunity to relocate from Bellevue to Phoenix. Additional positions will be filled by area residents.

"Customer service is the cornerstone of our business," Kramer said. "Moving our call center to Tempe will allow our most important asset, our customer service representatives, to get even closer to customers which will be key to our success in an increasingly competitive environment."

Creating a local Customer Service Call Center is a major step in AirTouch's efforts to establish the Southwest as an independent profit and loss center within the AirTouch organization. Over the past year marketing, network and engineering and staff functions have transferred from a centralized organization in Washington to Arizona. As part of this increased focus on the Southwest market, AirTouch has invested more than $100 million in local network improvements and transition activities and created 200 new jobs.

AirTouch Cellular is the brand name for U S WEST NewVector Group Inc. Based in Bellevue, NewVector has cellular operations in 12 midwestern, western and southwestern states and serves more than 2 million customers. The company is part of the U S WEST Media Group (NYSE:UMG), which is involved in domestic and international cable and wireless networks, directory publishing and interactive multimedia services.

CONTACT: AirTouch Cellular

Lisa Bowersock, 206/603-7427