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BellSouth Network Supports Wireless Data Service for Media at Kennedy Space Center, Delivers Coverage of Shuttle Launch to World

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 July 2005, 09:00 CDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 2,500 journalists were onsite yesterday at Kennedy Space Center for the return to flight of Space Shuttle Discovery and many of them utilized a wireless data network that covers the six-acre NASA Press Site to report the event. The wireless data solution was created specifically for this launch by Nortel and is linked to the Internet by high-speed dedicated circuits from BellSouth.

With the wireless data network in place, reporters on the ground have the flexibility to use their wireless-enabled laptops and handheld computing devices to seamlessly and securely access the Internet, e-mail, file sharing and other applications. Designed to deliver user mobility, the Wireless Mesh Network provides reporters with secure and continuous access to the Internet while moving throughout the observation area, increasing productivity by allowing them to report on the story in real-time.

"The world's media was welcomed to Kennedy Space Center with technology that makes their jobs much easier and this was made possible by the determination and can-do attitude of BellSouth and Nortel engineers on the ground," said Joe LaMarca, representative of the Joint Industry Press Center for the Space Shuttle Discovery launch. "The mobile data solution allows reporters to have more flexibility while downloading pictures and submitting stories and we've already had several requests to provide the service for the next launch."

For the Return to Flight mission, the first shuttle launch since January 2003, BellSouth installed upgraded circuits to serve the media with high-speed connections including DSL, T-1s and DS3s (45Mbps of dedicated bandwidth, commonly used for transmission of large amounts of data including video). Many of these circuits are run directly to the hurricane-rated structures that house individual news organizations, constructed after the last launch for additional safety at the NASA Press Site. These connections are utilized by news organizations for dedicated voice, data and video circuits that link headquarters locations to the reporters onsite.

"BellSouth has a history of delivering unmatched service to its customers, regardless of size and level of need," said Marshall Criser, president - Florida Operations, BellSouth. "International sporting, political and scientific events like yesterday's launch generate opportunities for BellSouth to indirectly serve viewers and readers around the world on a scale that very few providers can replicate. We're proud to be part of this historic launch."

For more information about BellSouth Business voice and data solutions, visit http://www.bellsouthlargebusiness.com/.

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 more than 50 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 online and directory advertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).

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/.

BellSouth Corporation

CONTACT: Todd Smith of BellSouth, +1-404-829-8723, ortodd.smith@bellsouth.com ; or Jay Barta of Nortel, +1-972-685-2381, orjbarta@nortel.com

Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/http://www.bellsouthlargebusiness.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/095650.html

Source: PRNewswire

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