BellSouth Reaches Significant Milestone in Processing Online Payments at BellSouth.com

Business Wire, Oct 31, 2001

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2001

BellSouth today announced that it has processed more than 3.5 million e-payments (electronic payments) online at bellsouth.com.

This significant milestone marks the company's success at encouraging customers to "Pay by Mouse, Not by Mail(SM)," providing a simple, convenient and secure way for customers to do business online.

"We are so pleased that our customers are starting to realize the tremendous benefits of doing business with us online," said Klaus Werner, General Manager of eCommerce. "Our website provides customers with a simple and convenient way to make electronic payments, and it truly takes the hassle out of paying monthly bills."

In response to customer feedback, BellSouth recently launched a recurring e-check feature that allows customers to automatically have their telephone charges deducted from their checking account each month. This is an enhancement to the electronic check payment feature introduced earlier this year. The service allows customers to make online payments directly to BellSouth by simply using a personal checking account. All payments are posted immediately to the customer's account, and the service is provided at no additional cost.

"Customer response to our online billing initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive this year," said Werner. "One of the reasons we've been so successful is that when our customers told us to make it simple and make it secure - we listened. We've really been committed to delivering the best possible experience for our customers online."

Customers can also enroll in eBill at bellsouth.com, allowing them to only receive an electronic version of their telephone bill. When a customer signs up for eBill, the customer is sent an email notification each month, letting them know when their bill is ready for review and payment. BellSouth currently has more than 160,000 customers participating in its eBill service.

In 1997, BellSouth first introduced its online services to customers. Since then, the company has been dedicated to enhancing the functionality of its website by introducing capabilities like ordering services, reviewing account information and making bill payments online.

Jupiter Communications predicts that 7.7 million households will be paying bills online during 2001, while 2.8 million households will be viewing and paying bills online. Further, Jupiter estimates households paying bills online will surge to 25.8 million by 2005, while 40.2 million households are expected to view and pay bills online. As a result, electronic bill payment will grow more rapidly in the next five years than either online banking or online shopping. (Note: July 13, 2000 Jupiter Communications report).

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, GA, serving nearly 46 million customers in the United States and 16 other countries.

Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full array of broadband data and e-commerce solutions to business customers, including Web hosting and other Internet services. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and other services. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services, including BellSouth(R) Real PagesSM.com.

BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative wireless data and voice services.