AT&T Enhances Internet Directory of Toll-Free Numbers

Business Wire, April 8, 1996

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 1996--AT&T today announced a full-featured Internet version of its Toll-Free Directory. In addition to the toll-free telephone numbers of the more than 150,000 businesses located in the directory, the Internet version will give customers quick and easy on-line access to those companies through electronic links to their advertising and home pages.

Businesses may choose from a number of advertising options in the Internet version of the AT&T Toll-Free Directory, ranging from a full-screen color ad to a complete four-screen ad site with e-mail capabilities. AT&T said users of the Internet version of the directory will be able to link to business ads or web sites simply by clicking on the advertisers' listings. In addition, businesses can opt for features such as enhanced directory listings, links to multiple web sites, and listings in additional or related categories in the directory.

"With the phenomenal growth of the Internet, advertising in AT&T's enhanced Toll-Free Directory is a simple and cost-effective way for businesses to reach new and existing customers worldwide," said Patricia Selden, publisher of Yellow Page Directories at AT&T. Selden said the new directory features have tested successfully with selected business customers across the country.

Among the companies testing the directory was The Vermont General Store in Woodstock, Vt., a retail and mail-order firm specializing in unique country wares. The company, which had no prior on-line experience, saw a 10 percent jump in customer catalog requests and tripled the number of corporate inquiries during the first month of the trial.

"My great-grandfather started this business in 1886 and advertised by stuffing catalogs in local mailboxes," said Jireh Billings, owner of The Vermont General Store. "More than a century later, AT&T is offering us a new and exciting way to continue that tradition of building and expanding our business." Billings said the success of the trial quickly convinced him that advertising on the Internet is an easy and highly effective way to reach customers.

AT&T, which recently began providing easy-to-use, affordable Internet access through its AT&T WorldNet(SM) service, said the enhanced directory will be launched as part of the company's strategy to offer innovative packages of services, including on-line, local, long distance and entertainment services. While the Toll-Free directory is available to any user on the Internet, AT&T WorldNet subscribers will have ready access to the directory through that service.

The directory will include listings for AT&T business customers with nationally-listed 800 numbers, as well as those using the new 888 toll-free prefix. The AT&T Toll-Free Directory is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.tollfree.att.net, or in print through leading bookstores nationwide. Additional information about AT&T's Toll-Free Services is available through the AT&T home page at http://www.att.com. Business customers interested in AT&T Toll-Free Services can contact their AT&T account executive or call 1-800-222-0400.

Catalogues and additional information about The Vermont General Store, along with access to the company's home page, are available on-line through the AT&T Toll-Free Directory. Customers can also contact The Vermont General Store directly by calling 1-800-344-6668.

CONTACT: AT&T

Doug Idleman, 908/221-3950 (W) or 908/647-6910 (H)

idleman@attmail.com

or

Mike Cuno, 908/221-5563 (W) or 201/252-8582 (H)

mcuno@attmail.com