American TeleSource Receives Final Regulatory Authorization on Mexican Long Distance Concession License; ATSI Names Ray Romero to General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Post.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 12, 2000

American TeleSource International, Inc. ("ATSI") (AMEX: AI) today announced that it has been granted final regulatory authorization from the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes ("SCT") (Mexico's Secretary of Communications) for ATSI's recently announced acquisition of a Mexican entity which owns a Long Distance Concession License in that country. ATSI will operate its Long Distance Concession under the name ATSI Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V.

Arthur L. Smith, ATSI's Chairman and CEO, stated, "The SCT's authorization represents the final step in ATSI's acquisition of the concessionaire company. Now that we have obtained all the necessary approvals from the Mexican Government, we are allowed to commence build-out and expand our network infrastructure for interconnection to the local network in Mexico. Through the steadfast commitment and dedication of our employees, ATSI has achieved this landmark accomplishment."

ATSI also announced that Ray Romero has joined the ATSI corporate team as Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Romero will be responsible for overseeing the Company's legal programs including mergers and acquisitions. Previously, he served as Vice President and General Counsel for Ameritech International, Inc., the international business development subsidiary of the Chicago-based Regional Bell Operating Company (Ameritech). He was intimately involved in all the international transactions in which Ameritech participated between 1990 and 1995, specializing in foreign government privatizations and license acquisitions, as well as European acquisitions valued at approximately $2 billion. Mr. Romero was also a Commissioner on the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Mr. Romero was instrumental in exploring business opportunities in Latin America for Ameritech, including the privatization of CANTV in Venezuela and cellular licenses awarded by the Brazilian government. Within Mexico, he pursued business development opportunities for cellular licenses and coordinated the legal due diligence for Ameritech International as outside counsel when Ameritech considered participating in the privatization of Telefonos de Mexico. Mr. Romero's most recent position was with OpenWorld Communications, Inc., where he was one of four founders of an Internet start up established to acquire an existing Internet network. He is a graduate of Northwestern University Law School in Chicago and Oberlin College.

Arthur L. Smith, Chairman and CEO, stated, "We are very fortunate to have Ray Romero join ATSI. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge encompassing the international telecommunications marketplace which will contribute to the future success of the Company."

American TeleSource International, Inc. is an emerging international carrier serving the rapidly expanding niche markets in and between Latin America and the United States. The Company's borderless strategy includes the deployment of a "next generation" network for more efficient and cost effective service offerings of domestic and international voice and data. ATSI has clear advantages over the competition through its corporate framework consisting of unique licenses, interconnection and service agreements, network footprint, and extensive retail distribution. ATSI's wholly owned e-commerce subsidiary, GlobalSCAPE, Inc. (www.globalscape.com) is a leader in the development, marketing, distribution and support of award winning Internet-based software in a broad array of categories including file management, multimedia utilities and Web site development tools.