AvData Enables Two-Way Messaging for BellSouth Wireless Data Customers.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 1999--

AvData VSAT Infrastructure Plays Important Role in Providing

Two-Way Wireless Messaging to Remote Geographic Areas

AvData Systems, Inc., a leading provider of advanced network solutions announced today that it has begun implementing a 21-site, shared-hub VSAT communications infrastructure for BellSouth Wireless Data.

BellSouth's new VSAT infrastructure delivers two-way wireless messaging to base stations in remote geographic areas that have no existing terrestrial-based communications.

Under the terms of the agreement, BellSouth will pay AvData an estimated $350,000 for the VSAT network implementation, network management, satellite capacity, and hardware. AvData shared-hub VSAT services became necessary because of the remoteness of several geographic areas where BellSouth did not have access to an interconnect infrastructure. "In some areas of the country it is too expensive to implement terrestrial networks," says Roger Shultz, senior vice president, BellSouth Wireless Data. "We chose AvData's VSAT service because it is more cost-effective and reliable than microwave implementations."

AvData's VSAT solution provides the flexibility and reliability that BellSouth needs to implement a primary line of communications-where there is no other means of communications. BellSouth also intends to store disaster recovery units-mobile VSAT base stations-for rapid deployment in case of a severe terrestrial interconnect outage or deployment outside of normal service areas.

AvData manages legacy and enterprise networks remotely for companies that need network confidence. AvData network solutions guarantee greater network uptime with improved security through managed network services that include: multi-level event tracking; monitoring with notification; capacity management; performance analysis; detailed reporting; and vendor dispatch coordination.

Organizations of all kinds outsource network operations and management of their distributed sites to AvData. AvData's broad experience across multiple technology platforms serves as a strong base for meeting additional customer-specific needs including disaster recovery, network integration and security solutions. Presently, AvData provides network services for more than 100 customers. Many of AvData's accounts are corporate enterprise customers from the banking, retail, distribution, and manufacturing industries, and the balance are wireless providers of paging, cellular, and narrowband personal communications services (NPCS).

AvData's ten years of experience in consulting, integration and operation of highly reliable networks make it an excellent choice for providing customer-specific solutions that lead to network confidence. Furthermore, AvData's commitment to customer service was recognized by Arthur Andersen's Enterprise Award for Best Business Practices(r) in Customer Satisfaction. For more information contact Victoria Bennett at Telephone: [phone], E-Mail: [e-mail]. AvData is located at 55 Marietta Street, Atlanta GA 30303; Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; Web Site: www.avdata.com.