Intouch Newsletter

Super-charged "always on" service will make higher speed, better priced ADSL Internet access available to 1.7 million home and small business users in 1998

BellSouth today announced that it will begin offering affordable, ultra-fast Internet access service to the first of 30 Southeastern markets in late August. Featuring one, simple price plan for both consumers and small businesses starting at $49.95 per month, BellSouth.netSM FastAccess serviceSM uses ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) technology to deliver an "always on" Internet connection and download speeds 30 to 100 times faster than a typical dial-up connection.

BellSouth will provide the service in New Orleans, Atlanta, Birmingham, Jackson- ville, Raleigh, Charlotte and Fort Lauderdale this year, making the service available to 1.7 million customers by the end of 1998. The service will first roll out in New Orleans in late August and will be offered in 23 additional markets in 1999.

BellSouth.net FastAccess service not only delivers lightning fast Internet access and download speeds, but customers' ADSL connections to the Internet are "always on" and do not require dialing up to connect.

"Our 30 market roll-out of BellSouth.net FastAccess service is another example of BellSouth's strong commitment to delivering leading-edge data services to consumers and business customers alike," said Duane Ackerman, chief executive officer of BellSouth Corp. "BellSouth.net FastAccess provides a very high-speed Internet connection with a very affordable, easy-to-understand price plan. High-speed Internet service is now a viable option for home users or small business owners, not just those who have a corporate network connection."

BellSouth.net FastAccess service will be available for $49.95 to BellSouth customers who subscribe to the Complete ChoiceSM or Business ChoiceSM service plans (which include local phone service plus a choice of up to 20 calling features, such as Call Waiting, Call Forwarding and Caller ID, for one flat monthly rate). For other customers, BellSouth.net FastAccess service will be available for $59.95 per month. One-time charges include $199.95 for equipment and $99.95 for installation. The monthly price for BellSouth.net FastAccess includes unlimited Internet access but does not include the monthly charge for basic telephone service.

"BellSouth.net FastAccess makes your high-speed connection to the Internet as easy as the click of a mouse," says Donna Lachance, vice president of Marketing for BellSouth.net Services. "An Internet specialist will visit your home or business to install the equipment, test your new line and even install your Internet software and establish your BellSouth.net Internet account on your PC. Our new service is the epitome of full service from the company you trust."

According to an industry report from the Yankee Group1, ADSL-based Internet access will experience strong growth over the next three years. The analyst firm predicts that 350,000 ADSL lines should be in service nationwide by the end of 1999 and that almost two million ADSL lines will be in service at the end of 2001.

"Internet users come from all walks of life and business, but all have one thing in common, the need for speed," according to telecommunications analyst Jeffrey Kagan of Kagan Telecom Associates. "BellSouth.net's ADSL Internet service will be the fastest access the average small business or consumer customer can get. This is great news for BellSouth.net customers and for BellSouth."

BellSouth will also offer other ADSL access services to other network service providers and large businesses. ADSL service transforms an enterprise's existing information system from one limited to voice, text and low-resolution graphics to a powerful, ubiquitous network.