GTE opens the industry's first on-line telecommunications retail store.

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1995--GTE today opened the doors to the industry's first on-line telecommunications store, using CompuServe's Electronic Mall(R). The on-line GTE Phone Mart will reach nearly 2.6 million cyber shoppers, who will have access to approximately 100 products including the latest novelty telephones, home-office telephone equipment and communications devices for the hearing impaired.

The on-line GTE Phone Mart allows consumers to view selected products in full-color, get quick answers to common questions, and electronically communicate with GTE's customer service representatives. The $9.95 monthly subscription fee for CompuServe includes round-the-clock unlimited access to The Electronic Mall.

"Busy lifestyles make it difficult to find time for shopping," said Tim Britt, GTE product marketing manager. "Through GTE on-line stores, consumers can now shop for a wide variety of telecommunications devices without leaving their homes. This new retail outlet is part of GTE's pledge to be the easiest company to do business with in the industry.

"In addition, on-line retailing of Phone Mart products nationwide opens new markets that will enhance GTE's revenue growth," Britt said. The new electronic distribution channel is an extension of GTE's national network of 120 Phone Mart retail centers in 20 states. GTE Phone Marts' 1994 revenues were $162 million.

A Variety of Products and Services

To access the electronic GTE Phone Mart, consumers log onto CompuServe, key in "Go GTE," and follow the screen's shopping and ordering prompts. For instance, consumers may purchase the Tyrannosaurus Rex novelty phone that growls or the motorcycle phone that revs its engines when calls come in. GTE's Pro Shop features phones adorned with NFL and collegiate team logos for fervent sports fans.

For customers with special needs, the electronic Phone Mart offers a digital display phone for the hearing impaired. Where service is available, consumers also may purchase the world's first cordless Caller Number Identification phone, which displays phone numbers of incoming calls.

Additionally, GTE offers peripheral telecommunications products such as answering machines, home/office multi-line phones and fax machines through the electronic Phone Mart.

In the next few months, consumers also will be able to click a computer mouse to access information about GTE's residential services and extended warranties for telecommunications hardware.

CompuServe is the world's largest commercial information service, boasting the highest number of members and the highest number of services. In 1994, more than 1 million CompuServe users purchased products using The Electronic Mall features.

GTE Telephone Operations is the largest U.S.-based local telephone company, providing voice, data and video products and services through more than 22 million access lines in portions of the United States, Canada, South America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Based in Irving, Texas, the company had total revenues of $15.7 billion in 1994. Its parent organization, GTE Corp. is the fourth-largest publicly owned telecommunications company in the world.

CONTACT: GTE Telephone Operations, Irving

Brian Blevins, 214/718-6920

(After 6 p.m. CST, 214/733-1752)