BellSouth Reacts To FCC Approval Of Bell Atlantic's Entry Into Long-Distance Market

For Immediate Release:

December 22, 1999

WASHINGTON, DC - BellSouth Vice Chairman Jere Drummond today praised the Federal Communications Commission for approving Bell Atlantic's request to enter long-distance in New York. Drummond urged the FCC to give consumers more choices by quickly approving other Bell company requests to enter long-distance, including BellSouth's upcoming petition in Georgia.

"The FCC and Chairman Kennard deserve credit for conducting a thorough review of Bell Atlantic's petition and for finding that the increased competition in the long-distance market, which will result from this approval, is in the best interest of all consumers," Drummond said. "We are further encouraged by Chairman Kennard's statement that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach for Bells to gain entry into long-distance."

The Georgia Public Service Commission is overseeing third-party tests of BellSouth's operational support systems to make sure they can process customer service orders for competitors as well as they process service orders for BellSouth customers. Georgia regulators are monitoring these tests before deciding whether to endorse BellSouth's entry into long-distance.

"The Georgia Public Service Commission is conducting a comprehensive review of our systems to ensure that in their view we also meet the requirements of the Telecommunications Act," Drummond said. "The PSC has taken an approach that we believe will provide the FCC with indisputable proof that our systems provide our competitors the same level of service we provide to our own customers. Given this action, plus other evidence that we've met the 14-point checklist, we feel approval by the FCC will be granted.

"Our markets are wide open in Georgia and have been for some time," Drummond added. "Competitors are entering, competing for customers and winning them. That's the standard the FCC should use when it evaluates BellSouth's upcoming request to offer competitive long-distance service to Georgia consumers. Finally, we are pleased that Bell Atlantic has received this approval and we believe that our Georgia petition, once endorsed by the Georgia PSC, will bring FCC approval for us as well."

BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) is a $25 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, cable and digital TV, advertising and publishing, and Internet and data services to nearly 36 million customers in 19 countries worldwide.

For more information, contact:

John Schneidawind (202) 463-4183 Joe Chandler (404) 927-7420 NOTE: For more information about BellSouth, visit the BellSouth Web page at http://www.bellsouth.com/. Also, BellSouth news releases dating back one year are available by fax at no charge by calling 1-800-758-5804, ext. 095650 or write: for Atlanta releases 1155 Peachtree St., N.E.; Atlanta, Ga. 30309-3610 and for DC releases; 1133 21st St., N.W.; Suite 900; Washington, D.C. 2003. A list of BellSouth Media Relations Contacts is available in the Corporate Information Center.

Click here to find the latest on BellSouth Application to FCC to Offer Long-Distance Service in Georgia and Louisiana.

NOTE: For more information about BellSouth, visit the BellSouth Web page at http://www.bellsouth.com/. Also, BellSouth news releases dating back one year are available by fax at no charge by calling 1-800-758-5804, ext. 095650 or write: for Atlanta releases 1155 Peachtree St., N.E.; Atlanta, Ga. 30309-3610 and for DC releases; 1133 21st St., N.W.; Suite 900; Washington, D.C. 20036.

A list of BellSouth Media Relations Contacts is available in the Corporate Information Center.

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