BellSouth Launches New Suite of Residential Phone Systems, Allowing Customers to Activate Advanced Calling Features at the Touch of a Button.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2001

Innovative Phone Products Provide Customers with Enhanced

Functionality and Greater Control of BellSouth Services

BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) today announced the launch of a new suite of cordless and corded telephones that integrate the activation of most of BellSouth's calling features, such as Call Return and Three Way Calling, into the telephone handset.

The innovative product line allows customers to more effectively use BellSouth calling features and eliminates the need for customers to memorize special calling codes.

"We know our customers have a variety of communications needs and they want products, like our new phone systems that allow them to connect to their family, work and community in a simple and convenient way," said Becky Stark, Senior Director of BellSouth Consumer Marketing. "These phones allow customers to activate some of our most popular calling features at the quick touch of a button, giving them a better way to manage the calls they receive at home."

Several of the telephones are equipped with a new feature called Call Disposition, which allows Three Way Calling customers to handle incoming calls in one of four ways: placing the call on hold, sending the call to BellSouth Voice Mail, conferencing the call into a conversation already taking place, or dropping the call altogether-- all at the touch of a button. Call Disposition serves as a key advantage for BellSouth because it is a feature that is not currently available on telephones in the retail marketplace.

Each of the phones in the new product line have individual and compelling attributes, but they also share common features such as 900MHz to 2.4 GHz digital technology, a built-in Caller ID unit and a visual message indicator. In addition, the phones are designed to work in conjunction with the popular BellSouth(R) Complete Choice(R) plan which includes local phone service and up to 20 calling features such as Call Forwarding and Caller ID Deluxe for one flat rate per month.

"Our digital telephones provide customers with the ability to more effectively utilize the feature-rich services we offer with package plans such as our Complete Choice plan," said Stark. "Because customers no longer have to memorize numeric codes, we believe that they will utilize the calling features in our package plans more regularly, and in turn rediscover the true value of having BellSouth as a communications service provider."

As part of the new suite of telephones, two products serve as premier phone systems: the Maximum Feature Cordless Phone and the Cordless Phone System. The Maximum Feature Cordless Phone gives customers, for the first time, the ability to screen calls with their BellSouth(R) Voice Mail service. This is a significant feature that was previously only enjoyed by answering machine users. Additionally, the Cordless Phone System, allows customers to have a cordless telephone in four different rooms of the house without having to purchase additional phone lines or base stations. This phone also includes a monitoring feature that can be used to monitor other rooms in the house, such as a baby's room.

Other products featured in the product line include:

Call Waiting Deluxe Cordless Phone (900 Mhz)

-- Has a handset display

-- Includes 50 name caller ID memory

Call Waiting Deluxe Cordless Phone with Dual Key Pad and Speaker

Phone (900 Mhz)

-- Includes Call Disposition

-- Contains keypad on base and handset

-- Speaker phone capabilities

(This phone has all of the features to support Complete Choice

just like the maximum feature phone but it does not have the

voice mail screening feature.)

Cordless Two-Line Phone with Dual Key Pad and Speaker Phone (900 Mhz)

-- One touch voicemail button

-- Call Disposition (by November 2001)

-- Includes keypad on base and handset

-- Functions as speaker phone

-- Contains data port on phone base

Corded Feature Phone (900 Mhz)

-- Includes Call Disposition

-- Two-color call indicator differentiates new call from new

voice mail message

Corded Screen Phone (900 Mhz)

-- Includes Call Disposition

-- Functions as speaker phone

-- Includes 100 name Caller ID memory

-- Has 200 name and number directory

Also introduced in the new telephone line and unavailable anywhere at retail is an enhanced BellSouth Caller ID unit. The unit features Call Disposition, a 99 name Caller ID memory, new call indicator, new message indicator and a dial back function for local and long distance calls.

Beginning in October, BellSouth will kick off its holiday promotion, providing special offers on products like its premium phone systems. BellSouth customers can choose any of three selected new premium phones and receive a coupon worth up to a $40 credit on their BellSouth bill. To order any of the telephone products, customers should call 1-877-769-0002 or visit the BellSouth Web site at http://www.bellsouth.com.

As an added convenience for BellSouth customers, any product in the new telephone line can be billed interest-free in four monthly installments on the BellSouth telephone bill or can be purchased with a credit card. Shipping charges and applicable taxes are extra. The equipment arrives at the customer's door within four to six business days from the date of order. All telephone products are available for use nation-wide, however calling features work best when phones are used in BellSouth's nine state region.

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, GA, serving nearly 46 million customers in the United States and 16 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 also provides online and directory advertising services, including BellSouth(R) Real Pages(SM).com.

BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative wireless data and voice services.