BellSouth Empowers Home Networks with Wireless Home Networking, Parental Controls and Firewall Monitor

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 24, 2003–

New Services Allow Customers to Easily Create Plug-and-Play

Home Networks While Extending the Power and Value of

BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL

BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) today announced that customers of its BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL Internet service can enhance their high-speed experience with the availability of three new service offerings – BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) Wireless HomeNetworking Plus service, Parental Controls Plus and Firewall Monitor.

FastAccess Wireless HomeNetworking Plus service enables subscribers to share DSL Internet access with up to four computers over a wireless network using plug-and-play technology. Customers can choose either a wired configuration that utilizes existing phone lines to network computers, or the newly available wireless solution that provides added flexibility by connecting computers without cables. Creating a wireless network is easier than ever, and since there’s no need to rewire a home with the availability of wireless networking, anyone can create a home network.

The service’s wireless gateway combines a DSL modem, home networking router and a professional grade firewall — which helps protect every computer connected to the home network — into one device. The wireless gateway offers extremely flexible configuration designs allowing users to connect computers using any combination of Ethernet, USB, existing telephone jacks or wireless.

“By enhancing our home networking offering with wireless capabilities and additional Internet security features, customers receive the benefits of added flexibility, peace of mind and ease of use,” said Michael Bowling, vice president of DSL Marketing for BellSouth. “Wireless HomeNetworking Plus further enhances BellSouth’s expansive portfolio of Internet service offerings and enables residential customers to share their high-speed Internet connection and peripheral devices, such as printers, with family members.”

Parental Controls Plus and Firewall Monitor are included as part of BellSouth Wireless HomeNetworking Plus service at no additional charge. Parental Controls Plus assists customers in limiting the amount of time children can spend on the Internet while also protecting them from Websites and content that are objectionable or harmful. This protection stops unauthorized content before it ever reaches a user’s PC via the Internet, and since it’s hardware-based as opposed to software, it’s much more difficult for technology-savvy kids to work around.

In addition to controlling when and how long family members may use the Internet, it also allows parents to control which applications can be used. For example, customers can configure the service to disable instant messaging software at specific times or to not even run at all. Firewall Monitor enhances the already-powerful professional-grade firewall offered by BellSouth that features two levels of security in helping protect customers’ computers against malicious attacks and Internet threats. The service provides ongoing and automatic software updates as well as detailed logs and notification when potential threats are detected and eliminates the need to buy and update separate security software for every computer.

Home networking customer support representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via telephone should customers need assistance configuring their home network. This customer service group is also available to assist with adding another computer to a home network or arrange file and printer sharing for as long as customers subscribe to the service.

BellSouth FastAccess Wireless HomeNetworking Plus service includes a design tool that helps customers plan their network to ideally fit within their home environment. Desktop computers connect to the network with adapters that provide networking capabilities through existing telephone lines. Laptops use wireless adapter cards to connect to the network via Wi-Fi technology. Adapters are available from BellSouth.

Get Connected with Special Pricing

BellSouth FastAccess Wireless HomeNetworking Plus service is offered for only $10 per month in addition to BellSouth FastAccess DSL service. New FastAccess DSL customers who also subscribe to BellSouth Complete Choice will receive their first three months of FastAccess Wireless HomeNetworking Plus service for $29.95 per month along with free activation after rebate. This price includes both BellSouth FastAccess DSL Internet Service and FastAccess Wireless HomeNetworking Plus service. The wireless gateway is just $100 after mail-in rebate. New BellSouth FastAccess DSL customers who order on-line will receive $50 cash back. The wireless gateway rebate, free activation rebate and $50 cash back offer require a 12-month commitment.

BellSouth FastAccess DSL Internet Service has download speeds up to 50 times faster than a 28.8k modem. Large files such as audio clips, videos and research documents can be downloaded or transferred in seconds rather than minutes. Also, users can talk on the telephone and surf the Internet at the same time, on the same phone line, at download speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 256 Kbps.

For more information or to order BellSouth FastAccess DSL Internet Service, visit www.fastaccess.com or call 1-800-321-ADSL. To order BellSouth FastAccess Wireless HomeNetworking Plus, visit http://www.fastaccess.com/consumer/blsc_homenetworking.jsp.

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, serving more than 44 million customers in the United States and 14 other countries.

Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full array of broadband data solutions to large, medium and small businesses. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and other services. BellSouth also offers long distance service throughout its markets, serving both business and residential customers. The company’s BellSouth Answers(SM) package combines local and long distance service with an array of calling features; wireless data, voice and e-mail services; and high-speed DSL or dial-up Internet service. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services through BellSouth(R)RealPages.com(SM) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).

BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation’s second largest wireless company, which provides innovative data and voice services.