"Bellsouth.net Internet Service Draws Half a Million Southeast Subscribers" (Mang's note :Bellsouth, I recollect, uses coms adsl eqpts)
Business Wire - May 12, 1999 08:31
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 1999--
Local Internet Access Service Increases Momentum to Reach One
Million Subscribers by 2000
BellSouth.net(SM) Internet service today announced it has reached half a million
subscribers by doubling its subscriber base every year since its inception. The
service said it is aiming to reach one million subscribers by the year 2000.
"We have seen a surge in new customers in the past six months from our
aggressive marketing efforts and continue to rapidly grow the business through
excellent service and a quality product - not through acquisition," said Ray Smets,
president of BellSouth.net Inc. "Customers are choosing us for our dedication to
their total online experience. In fact, nine out of 10 customers say they would
recommend us to a friend."
The increased subscriber numbers are a result of BellSouth.net service's strong
customer experience, high-speed access availability, superior customer service and
value-driven package offers. These efforts are intended to raise awareness and
attract new customers through three initiatives: an end-to-end suite of online
solutions for small businesses (Internet for Business); access to a Web portal that
offers localized content and customer-driven services (BellSouth[SM] Buzz[SM])
and a new value package giving consumers unlimited Internet access for $12.95 a
month with the purchase of BellSouth's Complete Choice(R) calling plan.
"In a little over a month, nearly 60,000 BellSouth customers have signed up for the
package combining BellSouth.net service and Complete Choice - which equips a
busy family with the voice and data services they need to stay in touch - at a great
value," said Terry Yarbrough, senior director of product marketing, BellSouth
Consumer Services.
The service continues to get high marks for customer service and has received
consecutive high rankings by leading industry analysts for its reliable dial-up
connection. BellSouth.net Internet service earned an A+ rating in April 1999 for
connecting its users to the Internet, according to Inverse Network Technology
Inc., a leading independent Internet research firm. BellSouth.net service exceeded
the industry average for the percentage of calls that connect to Internet networks
on the first try. The company earned an A+ rating for its 24-hour call success rate,
business-hour call success rate, evening-hour call success rate and modem
connect speed.
In addition, BellSouth has become one of the leading providers of high-speed
ADSL Internet service. BellSouth.net(SM) FastAccess(SM) ADSL service has
been rolled out in 11 markets throughout the Southeast, with plans underway to
reach an additional 19 markets by the end of the year.
BellSouth.net Internet services are an integral part of BellSouth's larger data
strategy. BellSouth's data services-related revenues are growing at a rate of more
than 40 percent yearly, and are projected to generate more than $5 billion annually
by 2002.
BellSouth.net Internet service has more than 500,000 customers in 47 markets
across the Southeast. The service provides customers with a free
BellSouth-branded Internet browser in both Windows(R) and Macintosh(R)
versions, electronic mail and free access to expert Help Desk service 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. BellSouth.net service pricing plans include BellSouth's
charges for connection to its local Internet network and the Global Service
Provider's charges for connection to the global Internet. For more information on
BellSouth.net service, visit the Web site at www.bellsouth.net or call
1-800-4DOTNET.
BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) is a $23 billion communications services company. It
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. For more information on BellSouth,
visit the Web site at www.bellsouth.com.
CONTACT: BellSouth
Sue Holub, 404/927-7434
sholub@bellsouth.net
or
BellSouth.net Internet Services
Kelly Jordan, 404/880-5299
kjordan@bellsouth.net |
