Cellular One Launches Monthly On-Line Tips for Wireless Use; First Tip "Getting Emergency Help" Includes Listing of Alternate Emergency Numbers for Bay Area Communities' Police and Fire Departments.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 1996-- Cellular One today inaugurated a monthly information service to keep consumers informed of the latest ways to use wireless communications to help them manage their lives.

The program will begin this month with information that helps wireless users understand the differences between calling 911 from their cellular phone and from a landline phone. The "Wireless Tip of the Month" will provide interesting and useful information about wireless communications as well as offering links to other online resources.

Cellular One's "Wireless Tip of the Month" will appear on the company's Web site at http://www.cellone-sf.com. It will be included in newsletters mailed to customers and will be distributed free at one of the six company-owned retail stores in the Greater Bay Area. It will also be sent to local news media.

"Wireless has become part and parcel of our everyday life, so we decided to offer "bite-sized" pieces of helpful information people can use to stay on top of their fast-paced lives," said Sue Swenson, president and chief executive officer of Cellular One in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area.

September Tip -- Getting Emergency Help

According to Swenson, September's inaugural tip on "Getting Emergency Help" is of special interest because of the differences in calling 911 from a cellular phone versus a landline phone. "Most people are unaware that the 911 calls from a cellular phone are handled by the California Highway Patrol at their Vallejo communication center rather than 911 dispatch operators in the local community. Because cellular 911 calls do not yet automatically identify a person's location, the caller needs to be ready to give information that helps emergency service personnel locate them."

The "Wireless Tip of the Month" covers some key areas including when it is appropriate to call cellular 911 and when it isn't, and the critical information callers need to provide to the cellular 911 dispatchers.

Alternate Emergency Numbers

"Also depending on the situation, it may be quicker and more appropriate to contact the local police or fire department directly," added Swenson. Consequently, Cellular One has developed a list of alternate emergency numbers for local police and fire departments throughout the company's service area from Monterey to Cloverdale.

Customers can download the list from the Web site or pick up a printed list at one of the six company-owned stores throughout the Bay Area. They can also preprogram the most relevant numbers into their phones for easy access.

The directory of alternate emergency numbers covers most California cities in the four area codes served by Cellular One in the Greater Bay Area: 415, 510, 408 and 707.

A copy of the September tip "Getting Emergency Help" is attached.

Future Tips

Future months will address other topics of interest such as how to use your cellular phone to send data, how to care for your phone battery and how to improve disaster preparedness. The Web site will also provide links to other online resources with important information for people living in the Bay Area.

About Cellular One

Cellular One is the leading wireless service provider and the exclusive provider of digital cellular service in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. It is a partnership of two communications companies, Air Touch Communications, San Francisco; and AT&T Wireless Services, Kirkland, Wash.

Cellular One's Internet address is http://www.cellone-sf.com.

Getting Emergency Help -- Cellular 911 September 1996

One of the greatest benefits of wireless communications is that you can get emergency assistance or report an emergency -- wherever you are. The cellular 911 system is a service provided by the California Highway Patrol. It is different than the landline 911 system and therefore there are some important tips to keep in mind: -0-

Call cellular 911 to report a real emergency:

-- Traffic accident, traffic hazard, reckless or suspected intoxicated driver, medical emergency, fire, driver in distress, crime in progress.

Be prepared to provide the following information to the dispatcher:

-- Your specific location (city, highway number, major cross

streets, direction of travel, landmarks);

-- Nature of the emergency;

-- Your name;

-- Your cellular phone number including area code;

-- Your home or work phone number including area code.

Do not call Cellular 911 for:

-- Directions, road conditions, weather reports, phone numbers,

or if emergency response vehicles are already on the scene.

Cellular 911 is your best choice for most emergencies. However, many communities in the greater Bay area have established alternate emergency numbers that connect you directly with the local police and fire departments. Be prepared to give the same information to the dispatcher, especially location, as you'd give the cellular 911 dispatcher.

Cellular One has assembled a directory of the alternate emergency phone numbers for the cities in its service area. This may come in handy if you spend most of your time within a particular city's jurisdiction. Visit Cellular One's Web site at http://www.cellone-sf.com or one of the six company-owned stores to get the listing. (Call Erin Eggleton at 415/827-5702 for list of store locations.)

CONTACT: Cellular One

Erin Eggleton, 415/827-5702 or 888/691-7195 (pager)

or

Torme & Kenney

Steven Freemire, 415/956-1791