Omnipoint Passes 200,000 Subscriber Mark

CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Communications Services (PCS) provider Omnipoint Communications (Nasdaq: OMPT) today announced that it had crossed the 200,000 subscriber mark. The company has more than doubled its number of subscribers since last November, adding nearly 50,000 net new subscribers in the first quarter of 1998. As of March 31, 1998, the number of subscribers totaled over 190,000.

"With the launch of the New England and Miami networks at the end of March, we are on track to meet our goals for 1998," said George Schmitt, President of Omnipoint Communications. "The strong growth that we continue to see is an affirmation of our philosophy: to provide customers with high-quality wireless services and a straightforward deal."

Since September of last year, Omnipoint has successfully launched its advanced digital PCS services in three major markets: Philadelphia, Boston, and Miami, in addition to the earlier launch of service in the New York metro area. Currently, the company markets its services to more than 25 million people.

Omnipoint plans to launch commercial service in Connecticut and Upstate New York in this quarter, as well as continue the expansion of its existing networks. Omnipoint also has begun construction of networks in Detroit and Indianapolis and intends to launch service in those markets in late 1998 or early 1999. Other licensed markets are also being considered for construction.

"As we finish the billing cycle for March, we expect the average revenue per user (ARPU) to remain fairly steady, based on January and February's run rate of $55 to $60 per month," said Schmitt.

In a separate release issued today, the company announced that under the new C-block rules, it plans to reduce its FCC license debt and accrued interest by approximately $300 million by electing to return a portion of its C-block licenses (see the release entitled, "Omnipoint Plans to Reduce Debt by $300 Million Under New FCC 'C-Block' Options").

The company believes its success also is due in part to its use of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology. This international wireless digital standard offers users unparalleled features and privacy. It also enables Omnipoint customers to use their service in more than 1,200 North American cities, as well as in most of Europe and parts of Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim. The company presently has more than 70 domestic and international roaming agreements signed; 50 of those are in commercial operation. Eventually, customers will be able to roam in up to 110 countries around the world. More than 80 million people use GSM worldwide -- growing at nearly 2 million per month -- with more than 2 million subscribers added in North America since the introduction of PCS.

Omnipoint Communications is a subsidiary of Omnipoint Corporation. Founded in 1987, the parent company is a leader in commercializing PCS. Omnipoint currently provides advanced wireless communications services in much of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and southern Florida; it intends to provide those services in additional areas. The company also develops technology and equipment for PCS and wireless local loop. The company's stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market. Its trading symbol is OMPT.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed and the statements made in this release concerning Omnipoint's future prospects are "forward-looking statements" under the Federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that future results will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from the forecast and estimates. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, Omnipoint's limited operating history, including a history of losses and the uncertainty of future operating results, dependence upon cash flow from its subsidiaries, high leverage, debt service requirements and restrictive covenants related to its outstanding Senior Notes, the emerging market for PCS service, the continued buildout of the New York MTA network and the buildout of the Entrepreneurs' Band BTA networks, market acceptance of the Omnipoint system, reliance upon its relationships with Northern Telecom and Ericsson, and its dependence upon key employees. Omnipoint's future results may be impacted by other risk factors listed from time to time in its SEC reports, including, but not limited to, the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and its Registration Statement filed on Form S-4 on January 16, 1997 as amended.

SOURCE Omnipoint Corporation

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/CONTACT: Laura Knight, Manager, Investor Relations of Omnipoint Communications, 301-951-2517, or [e-mail]/

(OMPT)

CO: Omnipoint Communications ST: New Jersey IN: TLS SU:

LR-SK -- NYM083 -- 7734 04/20/98 14:10 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com