BellSouth Introduces Wireless Broadband Product Enhancements

LAS VEGAS, March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move to deliver competitive advantages to its wireless broadband business customers, BellSouth has launched two new products that allow them to use wireless broadband to back up their existing wireline Internet service and activate a Wi-fi hotspot at their business location.

BellSouth's wireless broadband backup service complements any existing data network, including DSL, Frame Relay, Ethernet and Private Line. This new service provides wireless broadband to BellSouth customers at a discount for use as backup access to the Internet and e-mail in the event of a wireline network outage.

"BellSouth recognizes that customers are increasingly in need of redundant access services," said Randy Roberts, vice president - consumer devices & wireless, BellSouth. "The introduction of wireless broadband backup is another example of how BellSouth integrates leading-edge technologies to offer superior communications solutions to businesses."

BellSouth customers can also now choose to bundle a Wi-fi service into their new or existing BellSouth(R) Wireless Broadband service. With this new bundle, BellSouth will install and activate a Wi-fi hotspot at a business location.

"BellSouth continues to provide innovative uses for technology that enhance our customers' businesses and enable them to better serve their customers," Roberts said. "With Wi-fi from BellSouth, businesses can distinguish themselves and offer a convenience to those who are working or surfing the Internet at their business location."

BellSouth's wireless broadband service offers residential and business customers high-speed Internet access, with downstream speeds up to 1.5Mbps and no phone line needed. The system transmits signals between local radio towers and a small non-line-of-sight desktop subscriber modem and utilizes BellSouth licensed WCS 2.3GHz spectrum.

BellSouth was the first major telecom provider to commercially launch wireless broadband using pre-WiMax technology. The company initially deployed the service last August in Athens, Ga., and has since deployed in Palatka, Fla.; New Orleans, La.; Gulfport, Miss.; and DeLand, Fla. BellSouth plans to expand the service to additional cities throughout 2006.

BellSouth will begin lab trials of WiMax this spring, moving into technical trials in the second half of 2006.

For more information or to subscribe for wireless broadband, visit http://www.bellsouth.net/wirelessbb or call 1-877-241-5490.

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40 percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider with 54.1 million customers.

Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers print and online directory advertising through The Real Yellow Pages(R) and YELLOWPAGES.COM(TM) from BellSouth.

BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/.