ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1997--BellSouth announced
today it is rolling out 56 kilobits per second Internet access for
its BellSouth.net(SM) Internet service -- the fastest dial-up access
currently available with ordinary analog phone lines.
The service, which supports K56flex modem technology, is currently
available to BellSouth.net customers in Orlando and Miami, Fla.,
Birmingham, Ala., and Nashville, Tenn. BellSouth plans to offer
K56flex access in all markets by the end of the first quarter of
1998. There is no additional charge for the higher-speed access.
The company also announced today that is has teamed up with Zoom
Telephonics, who will offer BellSouth.net service customers special
rebates on 56K modems so they can take advantage of faster access at
a lower cost.
"BellSouth.net service is keeping pace with technology
improvements while our customers are offered a special deal on a new
modem," said Donna Lachance, vice president of consumer products of
BellSouth.net Inc. "With 56K service, we're offering very fast,
reliable dial-up Internet service, for quicker Web page downloads and
screen refreshes. This is a very real example of how BellSouth.net
service is growing with its customers' needs for the long run."
Actual connection speeds will vary, depending on line noise,
Internet path and network constraints, but for most users speeds will
still be faster than can be achieved with conventional modems.
Customers can order Zoom 56K modems online via a link from the
BellSouth.net customer gateway, or they can purchase them at major
electronics, computing or office supply stores. Customers who mail a
rebate coupon with proof of purchase to Zoom will receive a $30
rebate for online purchases through the BellSouth.net gateway or a
$25 rebate for retail purchases. The special rebate offer for
BellSouth.net customers begins later this month.
The 56K access will be available through BellSouth.net's existing
dial-up access numbers. Information on 56K access is available on
the BellSouth.net customer Web site at bellsouth.net or by
calling 800/4DOTNET. BellSouth.net will announce 56K access in
additional markets as it becomes available.
Zoom Telephonics designs, produces, and markets fax modems, ISDN
products, and other products that link people and their personal
computers through the world's largest network, the international
telephone network, and connected networks including the Internet and
corporate local area networks.
Zoom Telephonics is publicly traded on Nasdaq (NASDAQ:ZOOM).
Zoom products are produced in Boston, and sold worldwide. For more
information about Zoom's 56K products or other products manufactured
by Zoom, please call Zoom toll-free at 800/631-3116 or visit the Zoom
Web site at zoomtel.com .
BellSouth.net service provides customers with free Netscape
Navigator(TM) software in both Windows and Macintosh versions, no
sign-up charges, electronic mail and free access to expert Help Desk
service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BellSouth.net service is
offered in major markets throughout the Southeast, available to more
than 70 percent of BellSouth's customers regionwide.
The service has two attractively priced plans: 1) an unlimited
access plan priced at $19.95 per month; and 2) an hourly plan that
provides ten hours of access per month for $9.95, plus $1 for each
additional hour. BellSouth.net service also offers optional Personal
Web Page and Additional E-mail box services. Customers can have the
service billed to their BellSouth telephone bill or charged to their
credit card.
Pricing plans include BellSouth's charges for connection to its
local Internet gateway service and the Global Service Provider (GSP)
charges for connection to the global Internet. A recent recipient,
for the second consecutive year, of the J.D. Power award for
customer satisfaction, BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) is a $19 billion
communications services company. It provides telecommunications,
wireless communications, Internet access, directory advertising and
publishing and other information services to more than 28 million
customers in 20 countries worldwide.
Its telephone operations provide service 24-hours a day, 365 days
a year, over one of the most modern telecommunications networks in
the world for nearly 23 million telephone lines in a nine-state
region that includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The
BellSouth Web site is located at bellsouth.com . |
