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BellSouth Prepares for Fourth Storm in Four Weeks as Hurricane Jeanne Eyes the Southeast -- As Concentrated Repair Efforts from Recent Hurricanes Continues, BellSouth Prepares East Coast Network and Technicians for Hurricane Jeanne -- ATLANTA, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) is preparing for the possible arrival of Hurricane Jeanne as technicians across the Southeast continue to restore telecommunications services to customers affected by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. While repairing damage from three storms with a fourth again threatening Florida and the Southeast is non-typical, BellSouth's experience in dealing with powerful storms, resources-at-the-ready and committed workforce has provided for rapid responses to impacted areas. BellSouth has made remarkable progress since hurricanes began affecting its operating region six weeks ago. The triple assault by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan affected areas serving about 18 million BellSouth access lines. More than 1.2 million customers initially were affected by the storms in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee. BellSouth's rapid response and use of emergency backup power will result in greater service reliability during severe weather, including tropical and hurricane events. In those instances when customers do lose service, these measures have served to speed recovery and restoration. The company is now preparing to mobilize again depending on the track of Hurricane Jeanne. "While we have seen more than our fair share of hurricanes this season, our experienced team of technicians has made amazing progress in restoring service to impacted customers," said Rod Odom, president of BellSouth Network Services. "BellSouth continues to pour resources, including generators, supplies and additional technicians, into affected areas while simultaneously keeping an eye on other possible storms. Our fully-staffed teams will continue working safely to provide the quickest restoration and best customer service possible until all storms have passed and every customer's service is restored." BellSouth takes numerous steps to prepare for major storms, including: - The first major threat to telecommunications services during and after hurricanes is an electrical power outage that could interrupt customer services. Some engines are permanently located at specific BellSouth facilities, including all BellSouth Central Offices. To prevent such an interruption of service, critical BellSouth network facilities have immediate back-up through batteries followed by generators. - Portable generators, fuel sources and transport trucks are strategically located across BellSouth's service area for rapid deployment following a storm. This equipment is moved as close is safely possible once as a storm's path is better known, thus allowing for the quickest response. - BellSouth has serviced all of its trucks, generators and equipment that recently completed restoration service in preparation for future storms, including Hurricane Jeanne. - With Hurricane Jeanne now expected to affect BellSouth's service territory, BellSouth will utilize the 500 technicians already in Florida from other states in supplementing the number of Florida technicians for this newest storm. To further assure reliability, the BellSouth network includes high-speed fiber optic connections that can redirect calls instantly in the event of major outages. In addition, BellSouth maintains radio equipment that can regenerate communications signals in the event of major physical plant damage. Customers can take precautions themselves to keep safe during a storm and reestablish contact with relatives and friends after it passes, including: - Make sure your home and business are equipped with the proper telephone services to re-route or respond to voice, data and video communications in the event of a service interruption. BellSouth offers products like BellSouth's Voice Mail; CrisisLink(SM); Remote Access Call Forwarding; Call Forwarding Don't Answer; Call Forwarding Busy Line; and Memory Call(SM) -- services which can be invaluable for maintaining a vital link to your family, friends and clients. - During a power outage, your phone line may be inoperable if your cordless phone, caller ID unit or other telephone equipment requires external power. Plug a traditional corded telephone directly into a phone jack to verify if you have service. - As calling volumes increase, customers may experience a slow dial tone. If you don't hear a dial tone immediately when you pick up your phone, wait a few seconds and you should get one. If not, hang up and try your call later. - During a storm, use your phone for necessary calls only, leaving lines open for emergency calls. Key BellSouth tips to remember during hurricanes and other major storms: 1. For customers and the news media, BellSouth has compiled a list of emergency contact information on its website at http://www.bellsouthcorp.com/emergency . This information can be downloaded in advance for use as reference. During a hurricane or other severe storm, BellSouth will update the site with status information on the BellSouth network. 2. The Community Information section located at the front of The Real Yellow Pages provides many helpful hints, telephone numbers to call for repair service, information for customers with disabilities and more. Many editions, especially in areas known for severe storms, also include the Hurricane and Severe Weather Guide. 3. If customers have a question but cannot find the answer in The Real Yellow Pages, they can call the number listed for residential or business services depending on the need. About BellSouth Corporation BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and a parent company of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless voice and data provider. 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). More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/ . DATASOURCE: BellSouth CONTACT: Brent Fowler of BellSouth, +1-404-829-8722, or Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/ http://www.bellsouthcorp.com/emergency

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