BellSouth Reacts to Bell Atlantic Long-Distance Filing

For Immediate Release:

September 29, 1999

BACKGROUND: Bell Atlantic Corp. today asked the Federal Communications Commission to approve the company's entry into New York's long-distance market. Bell Atlantic says it has met the 14-point checklist that proves its network is open to rivals, meeting standards set in the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Federal Communications Commission has the final say on whether Bell companies can compete in the long-distance market dominated by AT&T, MCI and Sprint.

The following statement in reaction to Bell Atlantic's filing should be attributed to Randy New, BellSouth Corp.'s vice president, public policy:

"We congratulate Bell Atlantic for reaching this milestone. We wish Bell Atlantic well in their efforts to break the long-distance entry Barrier in New York.

"Competition is alive and well in local telephone markets throughout the country. Georgia, a rapidly growing state with Atlanta as its hub, is a hotbed for local telephone competition.

"A rigorous test of BellSouth's systems for connecting competitors to customer lines is underway in Georgia now. Once that test is complete later this year, BellSouth in Georgia will ask the FCC for the same thing Bell Atlantic is seeking in New York - permission to compete against the rapidly-merging long-distance giants and offer customers a complete package of services - local, long-distance, wireless and Internet access."

For more information, contact:

John Schneidawind (202)463-4183

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.

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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