BellSouth Wireless Data Enhances Network Coverage in Support of Nationwide Palm VII Launch - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Oct 11, 1999

With the nationwide launch Monday of the Palm VII connected organizer, BellSouth Wireless Data announced it has commissioned an additional 245 base stations since the beginning of the year in markets it serves to support Palm Computing's Palm.Net service and other services that use the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network. The company also remains on schedule to have a total of 300 new base stations in operation before the end of the year.

"Our aggressive base station deployment will help meet the demand of innovative new products and services such as the wirelessly connected Palm VII device and Palm.Net service that are running over our Intelligent Wireless Network," said William F. Lenahan, president and CEO, BellSouth Wireless Data. "This is part of our ongoing initiative to enhance our already excellent in-building and geographic coverage in the markets that we serve."

"As the Palm VII organizer gains momentum, particularly with its national launch, BellSouth Wireless Data's support through expanded coverage and additional base stations is critical in ensuring delivery of top-notch service and access for our customers," said Alan Kessler, president of Palm Computing, a 3Com company. "We will work with BellSouth to continue enhancing the Intelligent Wireless Network for our growing customer base."

BellSouth Wireless Data has added multiple base stations in cities from coast-to-coast since the beginning of 1999, including Indianapolis, Columbus (OH), Kansas City, Portland, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Miami, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Nashville, Memphis, Houston, San Diego and Seattle. The company now has more than 1,800 base stations deployed nationwide - including more than 600 since 1997 in 492 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs. The company is scheduled to have a total of 2,500 base stations in service by the end of 2001.

The Palm.Net service, which allows Palm VII users to wirelessly "clip" web content and perform e-commerce operations, contains a groundbreaking technology enhancement from BellSouth Wireless Data - Wireless Subscription Management - that gives users the ability to select service options and activate their device all from the palm of their hands.

With Wireless Subscription Management, consumers now have a fully automated process that allows them to activate their Palm VII connected organizer on the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network literally as soon as they complete their purchase. Users simply raise the device's antenna, select the level of service they desire through the Palm.Net service, enter billing and credit card or purchase order information, and in 60 seconds or less they are ready for interactive, wireless data communications.

The BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network is standards-based, and in addition to its core technology, offers connections with complementary networks and several host connectivity options. Based on the de facto international standard for wireless data communications, the core of the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network provides extensive and seamless coverage nationwide, high reliability, low latency, industry-leading battery saving protocols and other key features.

BellSouth Wireless Data, L.P., headquartered in Woodbridge, N.J., is an expert in providing proven wireless data communications solutions that eliminate the barriers between critical information and mobile users. The company, a winner of the prestigious Sears Innovation Source of the Year and Partners in Progress awards, delivers a competitive advantage and increases personal productivity for aggressive, innovative companies and individuals leveraging communications technologies to meet their strategic goals. BellSouth Wireless Data operates its wireless data service throughout the United States, covering more than 93 percent of the urban business population located in 492 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs with a total population of 200 million people.

BellSouth Wireless Data is a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation. BellSouth Corporation provides telecommunications, wireless communications, cable and digital TV, directory advertising and publishing, and Internet and data services to nearly 34 million customers in 19 countries worldwide. FMI: www.bellsouthwd.com.