BLS Bellsouth Cp

-- VIPGift Redeems Employee Gift Cards for Millions of Choices via Phone and the Internet -- CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) announced today that it is providing a complete voice and data communications solution to support the operations of VIPGift, a Chattanooga-based service company that provides simplified employee incentive programs for companies around the world. VIPGift's incentive program is unique because customers' employees are issued a redemption card or electronic number that can be instantly redeemed for millions of gifts, including catalog products, movie tickets, phone cards, charitable donations and pre-paid Visa(R) and MasterCard(R) gift cards. The redemption process is IP-based, but can be executed online or through an automated process over the phone. Scalability was a primary consideration when choosing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution from BellSouth, due to consistent triple digit company growth and the majority of VIPGift's sales and service call center workforce utilizing the telecommunications system. "IP technology is the foundation of our redemption process and BellSouth VoIP is now delivering the voicemail automation, call center support, scalability and the back-up capabilities that we require for our headquarters communications," said Hamid Andalib, founder and CEO of VIPGift. "With this system in place, we are better equipped to handle the triple digit annual volume increases experienced over the last six years as employers seek to reward positive performance." VIPGift has four remote offices and uses VoIP calls between these locations to more efficiently utilize the data network in place. A new dedicated data circuit also links the Chattanooga and Atlanta locations as part of the total solution. In addition to VoIP, VIPGift uses BellSouth business services to provide 100 percent of their telecommunication needs including local and long distance voice, dedicated Internet access, point-to-point, frame relay and DSL data services, on-demand conferencing services and Cingular Wireless solutions. VIPGift also uses BellSouth Long Distance calling cards as a redemption option for its gift card solutions. "VIPGift has built a business around flexibility and service for its customers which is exactly what BellSouth provides through innovative communication solutions," said Dick Anderson, vice chairman and president, business markets - BellSouth. "BellSouth's goal is always to design solutions that help businesses grow and succeed." BellSouth offers a full portfolio of voice and data solutions and has delivered enterprise VoIP solutions since 2001. To learn more about BellSouth's communications solutions for businesses, visit http://largebusiness.bellsouth.com/. About VIPGift VIPGift, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., was established in 1999 by A. Hamid Andalib, who learned the value of a gift certificate during his thirty years in the service and credit card industries. Revolutionizing the rewards process, VIPGift created a single VIPGift card redeemable for literally millions of choices, factoring in the worldwide acceptance of Prepaid VIPGift Visas and MasterCards. In addition, the company offers merchant gift cards, vacations packages, dining and entertainment, experiential products, phone cards, charitable donations and online catalog items. VIPGift is experiencing record levels of annual growth and has created custom incentive solution delivery systems for clients such as Dell, UPS, Sherwin Williams, Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. and General Motors. These companies along with other Fortune 500 companies have seen the value in VIPGift's global web-based solutions. For more information about VIPGift, visit http://www.vipgift.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 54.1 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 print and online directory advertising through The Real Yellow Pages(R) and YELLOWPAGES.COM(TM) from BellSouth. 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/. First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: DATASOURCE: BellSouth Corporation CONTACT: Media, Todd Smith of BellSouth Media Relations, +1-404-829-8723, or Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/ http://largebusiness.bellsouth.com/ http://www.vipgift.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/095650.html

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