BellSouth and Protection One Expand Alliance to Three Additional Cities.

Business Editors

ATLANTA & TOPEKA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2001

Protection One, Inc. (NYSE:POI):

Companies Offer a Full Line of Home Security Systems and

Monitoring Service in Orlando, Pompano Beach and

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

BellSouth Corp. (NYSE:BLS) and Protection One, Inc. (NYSE:POI) have launched BellSouth(R) Security Systems from Protection One in Orlando, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., expanding the number of cities where the service is offered to seven in the BellSouth region.

Homeowners in the greater Orlando, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale metropolitan areas are able to choose from a basic to fully featured security system with many options. Pricing starts at $199 for a basic residential system installation. Customers can choose from a variety of options, including wireless operation, SafetyNet(TM) (SafetyNet is a registered trademark of Protection One), integrated keypads and control panels, battery backup and latchkey paging. As part of the initial launch of the alliance, BellSouth Security Systems from Protection One already offers these services in Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., and Greensboro, N.C.

"Customers in Orlando, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale and across the region look to BellSouth for vital services, and security is just a logical extension of that," said Pam Jones, Vice President, Strategy and Marketing, BellSouth Consumer Services. "With Protection One, we can offer our customers a superior security system from a provider that is worthy of the trust and reliability our customers expect from BellSouth," Jones continued.

"We are pleased to expand this alliance and to continue our work with BellSouth, combining our experience and state-of-the-art security services with their product innovation and familiar, trusted name," said Richard Ginsburg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Protection One.

BellSouth Security Systems from Protection One provides the following features and options:

-- Integrated keypads and control panels -- Systems are easy-to-use with simple
commands and backlit keypads.

-- Remote key fob -- Wireless device attaches to a key chain and allows the
system to be armed or disarmed at the touch of a button, alleviating the need
to quickly punch in a code when entering or leaving.

-- Battery backup -- 24-hour backup keeps systems up and running in the event
of a temporary power failure.

-- Latchkey paging -- The system can instantly send a numeric page to a parent
the moment a child is safely at home.

-- Monitored smoke detectors -- Provide detection and notification for the
family and home whether at home or away.

-- Wireless operation -- Customers have the option of a wired or wireless
system.

-- Comprehensive warranty -- Two levels of warranty coverage for greater peace
of mind.

-- State-of-the-art monitoring -- Monitoring provided by only UL Listed
facilities and by dispatchers trained in accordance with the same exacting
standards developed for 911 response operators by the Security Industry
Association.

BellSouth Security Systems from Protection One is backed by Protection One's monitoring center professionals who have received the highest levels of emergency response training. When an alarm is activated, the monitoring center is notified within seconds, and a dispatcher immediately calls the home, police, fire or other emergency services as necessary.

Protection One stands behind its systems and services with SafetyNet(TM) protection, which is a part of the standard monitoring and service agreement. This allows a reimbursement of up to $1,000 of a homeowner's paid insurance deductible in the case of a loss suffered due to burglary while under monitored protection. In addition, with an insurance certificate from Protection One, many insurance carriers will typically reduce homeowners' rates from 10 to 30%.

For more information about BellSouth Security Systems from Protection One, customers in Orlando, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, as well as Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., and Greensboro, N.C., may call 1-866/BSS-SAFE.

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.

About Protection One

Protection One, one of the leading commercial and residential security services providers in the United States, provides monitoring and related security services to approximately 1.3 million residential and commercial customers in North America and is a leading security provider to the multifamily housing market through Network Multifamily. Protection One is also a proud sponsor of the Protection One 400, a multi-year NASCAR Winston Cup Series Race at Kansas Speedway. Protection One is regulated by the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. Protection One's Florida license number is EF0001010. For more information on Protection One, please go to http://www.ProtectionOne.com.