BellSouth/Florida to Terminate Supra Telecom Wholesale Service Due to Non-Payment; Customers to be Helped.

Business Editors

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002

Yesterday, Supra Telecom defaulted on its obligation to pay BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) millions of dollars under the terms of its new contract. Today, as a consequence, BellSouth was faced with a choice of disconnecting all of the network facilities that we leased to Supra and leaving its 300,000 customers out of service or voluntarily stepping in to help these individuals by petitioning the Florida Public Service Commission to consider implementation of the Emergency Service Continuity Plan.

"BellSouth understands that losing telephone service is a serious matter. The Emergency Service Continuity Plan, if implemented, will permit us to continue providing service to ex-Supra customers during a transition period, while they choose a new provider. Once the Florida Commission acts, we will advise everyone about the length of this transition period," said BellSouth-President, Florida, Joe Lacher.

As Supra's services are discontinued, those who purchased telecommunications services from Supra Telecom will have to select another local service provider. Consumers should expect to be back billed by their new provider for services received through this transition.

"We are disappointed that Supra did not pay its bill," said Lacher. "We are in the business of selling telecommunications services and we would prefer to be paid so we could continue to provide service to Supra."

Lacher explained that this transition could put a strain on BellSouth's customer service resources.

"Our customers know that BellSouth has a long tradition of service. When hurricanes or natural disasters strike, BellSouth has always risen to the challenge," said Lacher. "While this matter is not as severe or as visible, we will once again be tested as thousands of individual accounts will have to be transitioned. This may result in unusually long hold times when customers try to call our business offices. We ask all customers to please be patient; we are committed to serving everyone as expeditiously as possible. We will do everything we can to see that everyone is served."

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta serving more than 44 million customers in the United States and 14 other countries.

Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full array of broadband data and e-commerce solutions to business customers, including Web hosting and other Internet services. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and other services. BellSouth offers long distance service for both business and consumer customers in Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi.

BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services, including BellSouth(R) Real PagesSM.com. BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative wireless data and voice services.