GTE Opens the Door to Rapid Growth of its Consumer and Small Business Internet Division; Leverages Additional Distribution Channels; Unveils Easy-To-Use, Flexible Service Offerings

GTE Internetworking, a division of GTE Corp., (NYSE: GTE) today launched a series of service enhancements to its GTE.net consumer and small business Internet service, including a new easy-to-use online customer registration and flexible Internet service options. GTE.net has already seen unparalleled growth with a subscriber base that has more than tripled in the past 12 months to exceed 450,000 subscribers. The new CD-based Internet access registration and additional service offerings are designed to continue the ISP's tremendous growth.

In addition to the new distribution channel, GTE.net now offers a new LAN ISDN service targeted to small businesses and two new dial-up packages that make it easier for families or small businesses to have multiple e-mailboxes. The addition of the new service options is part of GTE's commitment to making Internet solutions available to everyone.

'GTE Internetworking is one of the fastest growing consumer and small business ISPs in the world,' said Alex Coleman, vice president/general manager of GTE Internetworking.

'Enhancements such as online registration and LAN ISDN will provide our customers with the most flexible, comprehensive and easy-to-use Internet solutions available, paving the way for continual growth.'

Online Registration CD-ROM
GTE Internetworking's Online Registration CD-ROM is an extension of the GTE.net service line, and will be showcased at Networld+Interop May 5-7, (Booth 4577) with additional distribution at the GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic in May. In addition, a direct mail campaign will be launched in GTE markets, with initial distribution in Lexington, Kent. and Ventura County, Calif. With this new registration service, customers not only get GTE Internetworking's highly reliable dial-up access service, they receive the added benefit of:

• Online Registration - no operators to call

• Convenient, secure credit card billing
• Server-side technology with the most current dial-in number list available
• Real-time account set-up - customer can begin surfing the Web right away
• Analog connections up to 56K

System Requirements
Windows 95 only with a 486/66 DX processor or higher; 24 MB of RAM; VGA display; 79 MB of available hard disk space; and a 14.4bps modem or higher.

LAN ISDN Internet Service
Targeted to small businesses, GTE Internetworking's new LAN ISDN Internet service offers both those companies that already have ISDN investments and those looking to expand their Internet connectivity, the ability to implement higher speed Internet access for multiple users in order to remain competitive with larger organizations while still controlling costs. The initial service is available nationwide through each of GTE's,
ISDN-capable Points of Presence (POPS) with dial-up access speeds up to 128Kbps, five e-mail accounts, five megabytes of Web space for hosting home pages, premium business technical support and a single dynamically-assigned IP address. The ISDN service will cost $125 per month for unlimited access, with an initial set-up fee of $100. Additional e-mailboxes can be purchased as well. Local ISDN service must be acquired separately, and may be usage sensitive with additional fees.

Flexible Access and E-mail Packages
GTE Internetworking also introduces two new Internet service packages for consumer and small business customers that will allow end-users who share Internet access to have their own, personal e-mailbox, and save money at the same time.

In addition to its existing service offerings, GTE Internetworking now offers $27.95 and $29.95 flat rate Internet packages that include multiple, unique mailboxes for e-mail messages, so families can enjoy the online experience with each member having their own personal e-mailbox. The $27.95 Access Package includes a total of three mailboxes, with the $29.95
Access Package supporting a total of four mailboxes. Customers can now take advantage of monthly savings when purchasing the new packages, which include other features such as enhanced Web site customization services featuring CNET's Snap! Online and five megabytes of Web storage space for personal home pages.

GTE's current $24.95 and $19.95 access packages will continued to be offered through the company's more than 650 POPs. Under the $24.95 plan, customers receive two unique mailboxes; only one mailbox is available under the $19.95 plan. A one-time, $15.00 start-up fee, applies to each package.

About GTE
With 1997 revenues of more than $23 billion, GTE is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and a leading provider of integrated telecommunications services. In the United States, GTE provides local service in 28 states and wireless service in 17 states; nationwide long-distance and internetworking services ranging from dial-up Internet access for residential and small-business consumers to Web-based applications for Fortune 500 companies; as well as video service in selected markets. Additional information about GTE can be found on the Internet at http://www.gte.com.

About GTE.net
GTE.net service is available nationwide, and dial-up analog access, up to 56kbps, is offered for $19.95 per month for unlimited use, and includes two megabytes of drive space on a web server for a personal home page and 24x7 technical support. A $24.95 per month premium service package with two e-mail boxes, enhanced Web site customization services and five megabytes of drive space is also available. To order GTE Internet service, customers can call 1-888-GTESURF (1-888-483-7873). Additional information about GTE Internet service can be found on the Internet at http://www.gte.net.