Ameritech Accelerates ADSL Deployment. Initiatives To Expand Consumer Choices, Fuel Ameritech's Hot Data Business - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, August 2, 1999

Ameritech (NYSE: AIT) has launched a four-pronged initiative to spur growth of the Internet and give consumers more high-speed Internet access choices.

The components of Ameritech's data initiative include: *Ameritech will accelerate deployment of ADSL technology in switching centers that serve 7 million homes by the end of 2000 and 8 million homes by the end of 2001;

* Ameritech will aggressively expand its ADSL-powered Ameritech.netSpeedPath service to consumers across the Midwest.

* An agreement announced Wednesday with America Online to use Ameritech'sADSL technology to offer high-speed upgrades to their customers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin;

* And, also announced Wednesday, a limited cable modem trial with America Online and Ameritech.net later this year in the Chicago area.

"Our commitment to expanding ADSL in the Midwest and our alliance with America Online will pave the way for new high-speed choices for Midwestern consumers and will fuel further growth in our fastest-growing line of business -- data communications," said Thomas E. Richards, Ameritech executive vice president of communications and information products.

Ameritech's cable modem trial is designed to demonstrate that cable companies, despite their claims to the contrary, can offer consumers a choice of more than one Internet provider.

"We don't buy AT&T's position that it's not technically feasible to carry more than one Internet provider on a cable network. Choice is what customers want, and we're going to prove it works in the marketplace," said Richards, who leads Ameritech's cable and Internet businesses. FMI: www.ameritech.net.