BLS Bellsouth Cp

-- Bellsouth Solution Will Utilize Innovative MPLS Technology to Link Multi-Location Enterprises -- ATLANTA, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) announced today that it signed an internetworking agreement with Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE:S) to enable seamless connectivity for BellSouth's next generation data customers across both providers' networks. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The service is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2006 and will initially utilize the BellSouth private IP backbone in the southeastern U.S. and Sprint's network in other regions to link businesses with multiple locations. "BellSouth customers will now have nationwide access to leading data capabilities, including full mesh connectivity and class of service priority routing to support converged applications," said Fred Shaftman, president, BellSouth Business. "Teaming with other industry leaders to bring both traditional and next generation solutions to business customers continues to be an important part of BellSouth's strategy." BellSouth's nationwide data solution will utilize the security and flexibility of MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) to allow internetworking of multiple access methods. The nationwide service will seamlessly transport data across both BellSouth and Sprint MPLS networks. Many businesses have the challenge of linking multiple office locations that are broadly distributed throughout the country to corporate resources. Each location often has specific network access requirements and, in the past, companies have had to self-integrate and manage these disparate networks across the organization. BellSouth's nationwide service will provide a managed network-based solution regardless of customer location. "This new nationwide MPLS data service will immediately increase BellSouth's addressable customer base and will strategically position them to more effectively attract and retain large business customers," said Jeff Kagan, an Atlanta-based telecom industry analyst. For more information about BellSouth voice and data solutions for businesses, visit http://www.bellsouthlargebusiness.com/. About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40 percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider with 51.6 million customers. Backed by award winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directory advertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real Yellow Pages(R). BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/. DATASOURCE: BellSouth Corporation CONTACT: Todd Smith of BellSouth Corporation, +1-404-829-8723, or Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/ http://www.bellsouthlargebusiness.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/.html

Copyright