BellSouth Helping Those Needing Telephone Assistance in Central Florida.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 1998--

Quick Response and Regulatory Relief to Assist Fire Victims

BellSouth announced Wednesday that it will waive service order charges for homes that have been damaged or destroyed due to wildfires in Central Florida.

"Our priority is to help, in any way, those who have been affected by the wildfires," said BellSouth Regional Manager Joseph Petrock. "For many the real crisis will begin upon returning home and beginning the process of recovering from this ordeal. BellSouth will be there to help." -0-

     BellSouth technicians have been very active installing emergency
services and making repairs throughout the crisis area. Most orders
were virtually fulfilled within hours of the initial request. For
example:

--   55 lines were installed for the Red Cross five hours after they
     were requested.

--   24 pay phone lines for FEMA were installed at three different
     locations within 7 hours of being requested.

--   30 lines and an 800 number were installed in hours at the Flagler
     County Emergency Operations Center.

--   35 lines ready to install, but are currently on stand by, for the
     Governor's Communications office in 6 hours.

--   36 lines for the U.S. Forestry at the Flagler Fairgrounds.

--   50 lines for the State of Florida Disaster Recovery Site in Palm
     Coast.

--   20 lines for Florida Highway Patrol Headquarters in Deland and 2
     more lines for the FHP Mobile Command at the Flagler Airport.

--   100 lines for key State and Federal officials visiting Flagler
     and Volusia Counties.

"Each of these orders were installed in hours. This took a tremendous amount of teamwork by every member of our Network Department to accomplish," said Petrock. "Since the fires began, our employees have been working around the clock fulfilling emergency orders, making repairs and replacing portions of the network damaged by the fire."

Additionally BellSouth Mobility has donated more than 1,000 cellular phones to support federal, state and local agencies. It has also activated 5 portable cellular transmitters throughout Flagler and Volusia Counties to support the increase in cellular calls, that has occurred during the crisis.

"We realize that during these times, telephone lines become lifelines," said Petrock. "Our intensity increases during times of crisis. We consistently see our employees perform above and beyond to meet the extraordinary demands put upon them."

The BellSouth Pioneer Volunteers have also been active during the crisis. Hundreds of volunteers are working in shelters and with the Red Cross in providing emergency services to fire victims. The Pioneers are also conducting a company-wide fund raising drive to provide economic assistance to those who need it. Additionally, the Pioneers are sending a team to assist the United Way of Flagler/Volusia Counties in establishing a warehouse to distribute emergency supplies.

"BellSouth employees are also a part of this community. The effort we are making during this crisis is coming from our hearts," said Petrock.

    CONTACT:  BellSouth
               Joseph Petrock, 904/254-8030
               Pager:  800/429-6153
               or
               Judy Spencer, 407/631-1342
               Pager:  800/402-3644