BellSouth to Provide High-Speed Internet Access to Mid-America Apartment Communities.

Business Editors

MEMPHIS, Tenn. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2001

Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA) and BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) today announced an agreement that, among other things, would provide for BellSouth to offer high-speed Internet access to approximately 22,000 of Mid-America's apartment units located in the southeastern and south central United States. Service deployment will begin immediately and is expected to be completed later this year.

Mid-America's residents will be able to subscribe to BellSouth(R)FastAccess(R) Internet service, which works at speeds up to 50 times faster than a 28.8k modem. Unlike cable modems, residents will have a dedicated connection, which means more consistent download speeds and peace-of-mind when transmitting important files. Also, users will be able to talk on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time, on the same phone line. All at maximum download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps and maximum speeds from the user's computer to the Internet of up to 256 Kbps.

"BellSouth understands the technology needs of our residents and has a proven support infrastructure in place to provide our customers with quality high speed Internet service," said Thomas L. Grimes, Jr., vice president and director of business development for Mid-America. "This agreement is in line with our strategy to continually improve the level of resident services offered at Mid-America properties and to enhance the value of each of our properties through programs that increase occupancy, retain residents and increase ancillary income," Grimes continued.

The BellSouth agreement with Mid-America is the work of the company's Residential Solutions Group, which provides the Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) industry one-stop shopping for communications services. Through the BellSouth Residential Solutions group, BellSouth offers high-speed Internet access, local phone service featuring calling plans such as BellSouth Complete Choice and BellSouth Solutions, and BellSouth Digital Passport home wiring and automation packages. "This agreement is a win for both BellSouth and Mid-America - it promises to connect BellSouth with 22,000 new customers and provides Mid-America's residents the latest technology, our BellSouth(R)FastAccess(R) Internet service," said Lin Atkinson, director, BellSouth Residential Solutions.

About Mid-America

MAA is a self-administered, self-managed apartment-only real estate investment trust which owns or has ownership interest in 34,023 apartment units throughout the southeastern and midwest U.S. and in Texas, including 272 units in the development pipeline. For further details, please refer to our website at www.maac.net or contact Simon R. C. Wadsworth at 901/682-6668, ext 104. 6584 Poplar Ave., suite 340, Memphis, TN 38138.

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, GA, serving more than 44 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) RealPagesSM.com.

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

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements made about anticipated acquisition and development of apartment units, divesting and joint venture transactions, and anticipated opportunities to improve occupancy and rental rates for apartment units. Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including a downturn in general economic conditions or the capital markets, competitive factors, increases in interest rates and the other general risks inherent in the apartment and real estate businesses. Reference is hereby made to the filings of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K and its annual report on Form 10-K, particularly including the risk factors contained in the latter filing.