BellSouth Helps Small Businesses Manage Expense in a Challenging Economy.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2002

Compelling Reward Programs Put Cash Back in the Pockets of

Business Owners, Enable More Efficient Communications Spending

BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) today announced that it is offering a full portfolio of

BellSouth provides various loyalty reward programs to meet the needs of its small business customers. The portfolio contains plans that provide packaged solutions at compelling rates, monthly rewards based on spending and term plans, points that can be redeemed for products and cash, and a plan that allows customers the opportunity to earn rewards each quarter by meeting a specific level of spending.

"Small businesses are faced with challenging business decisions each day in the current economy," said John Irwin, vice president of Marketing for BellSouth Small Business Services. "BellSouth is listening to these customers and has developed plans that provide businesses with enhanced value, enabling small business owners to more efficiently allocate communications expenditures and redirect internal resources to focus on core business activities."

BellSouth reward programs are designed to provide added value to customers for continued commitment to the company. BellSouth's featured programs include:

-- BellSouth(R) Complete Choice(R) for Business - allows customers to design unique and flexible packages of products and calling features, including messaging and Internet services, for a flat rate price.

-- BellSouth Key Customer - provides eligible businesses that sign term agreements with at least 10% savings in multiple markets in the Southeast.

-- BellSouth Business Perks - enables eligible customers to receive a coupon redeemable for a $100 check, $90 Visa Debit Card, or two months of complimentary BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL service after every three months of service and after the customer spends $1000 on regulated services with the company.

-- BellSouth Select(R) Business - rewards customers with points for each dollar spent with BellSouth, including Internet services, that can be redeemed for communication products, a check from BellSouth or catalog gifts from 160 partners including IBM, Palm and Philips. Points are also earned for every $3 of spending with the Real Yellow Pages(R).

Many BellSouth customers capitalize on rewards from BellSouth's programs to invest in additional communications products and services, such as BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL and the company's robust data portfolio, to provide advanced capabilities for business operations.

"By utilizing benefits from BellSouth reward programs, small businesses are able to equip employees and customers with enhanced solutions that enable more efficient operation and service," added Irwin. "This directly impacts the overall success of the business."

For more information on BellSouth reward programs or other small business communications services, call BellSouth Small Business at 877-253-8734 or visit http://www.bellsouth.com/smallbusiness.

About BellSouth Small Business Services

BellSouth Small Business Services offers a full range of solutions for small businesses, including voice, data and Internet services. BellSouth leverages its vast communications capabilities to provide unique and innovative solutions to its 900,000 small business customers. As a trusted provider, BellSouth offers the security and reliability that small businesses demand in today's economy through industry-leading experience that consistently delivers award-winning customer satisfaction.

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 offers long distance service for both business and consumer customers in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. The company's BellSouth(R) Answers 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) Real Pages(SM).com 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.