BellSouth Introduces 56 Kbps Faster Internet Access; Rebates on Zoom Modems Help Customers Upgrade For Speed.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1997--BellSouth announced today it is rolling out 56 kilobits per second Internet access for its BellSouth.net(SM) Internet service -- the fastest dial-up access currently available with ordinary analog phone lines.

The service, which supports K56flex modem technology, is currently available to BellSouth.net customers in Orlando and Miami, Fla., Birmingham, Ala., and Nashville, Tenn. BellSouth plans to offer K56flex access in all markets by the end of the first quarter of 1998. There is no additional charge for the higher-speed access.

The company also announced today that is has teamed up with Zoom Telephonics, who will offer BellSouth.net service customers special rebates on 56K modems so they can take advantage of faster access at a lower cost.

"BellSouth.net service is keeping pace with technology improvements while our customers are offered a special deal on a new modem," said Donna Lachance, vice president of consumer products of BellSouth.net Inc. "With 56K service, we're offering very fast, reliable dial-up Internet service, for quicker Web page downloads and screen refreshes. This is a very real example of how BellSouth.net service is growing with its customers' needs for the long run."

Actual connection speeds will vary, depending on line noise, Internet path and network constraints, but for most users speeds will still be faster than can be achieved with conventional modems.

Customers can order Zoom 56K modems online via a link from the BellSouth.net customer gateway, or they can purchase them at major electronics, computing or office supply stores. Customers who mail a rebate coupon with proof of purchase to Zoom will receive a $30 rebate for online purchases through the BellSouth.net gateway or a $25 rebate for retail purchases. The special rebate offer for BellSouth.net customers begins later this month.

The 56K access will be available through BellSouth.net's existing dial-up access numbers. Information on 56K access is available on the BellSouth.net customer Web site at http://www.bellsouth.net or by calling 800/4DOTNET. BellSouth.net will announce 56K access in additional markets as it becomes available.

Zoom Telephonics designs, produces, and markets fax modems, ISDN products, and other products that link people and their personal computers through the world's largest network, the international telephone network, and connected networks including the Internet and corporate local area networks.

Zoom Telephonics is publicly traded on Nasdaq (NASDAQ:ZOOM). Zoom products are produced in Boston, and sold worldwide. For more information about Zoom's 56K products or other products manufactured by Zoom, please call Zoom toll-free at 800/631-3116 or visit the Zoom Web site at http://www.zoomtel.com .

BellSouth.net service provides customers with free Netscape Navigator(TM) software in both Windows and Macintosh versions, no sign-up charges, electronic mail and free access to expert Help Desk service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BellSouth.net service is offered in major markets throughout the Southeast, available to more than 70 percent of BellSouth's customers regionwide.

The service has two attractively priced plans: 1) an unlimited access plan priced at $19.95 per month; and 2) an hourly plan that provides ten hours of access per month for $9.95, plus $1 for each additional hour. BellSouth.net service also offers optional Personal Web Page and Additional E-mail box services. Customers can have the service billed to their BellSouth telephone bill or charged to their credit card.

Pricing plans include BellSouth's charges for connection to its local Internet gateway service and the Global Service Provider (GSP) charges for connection to the global Internet. A recent recipient, for the second consecutive year, of the J.D. Power award for customer satisfaction, BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) is a $19 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, Internet access, directory advertising and publishing and other information services to more than 28 million customers in 20 countries worldwide.

Its telephone operations provide service 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, over one of the most modern telecommunications networks in the world for nearly 23 million telephone lines in a nine-state region that includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The BellSouth Web site is located at http://www.bellsouth.com .

CONTACT: BellSouth

Ted Creech, 404/927-7428

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M/C/C

Stacy Melody, 972/480-8383

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