GTE Surf-Cams unveiled in SurfLink on America Online; newtechnology provide current images of top Southern California surfspots

SAN DIEGO,Ca -- "Surfing the net" takes on new meaning now that current images of popular

California surfing locations are available online. With the inauguration of GTE Surf-Cams, viewers

can access the latest photos, updated each minute, that will show actual surf conditions at various sites

on the Southern California coast.

A joint project of GTE and SurfLink Inc., the GTE Surf-Cams will enable water sports enthusiasts to

visually check up-to-the-minute surf conditions in San Diego (Cardiff Reef), Huntington Beach,

Malibu and Manhattan Beach on America Online (AOL). To access the GTE Surf-Cam images, use

AOL keyword: SurfLink.

GTE Surf-Cams represent the first time that cellular technology has been used to provide detailed surf

conditions, air and water temperature, as well as tidal and wind information for surfers. Photographic

images of the surf conditions will change every minute, providing surfers with access to the most

current surf reports. GTE also is providing the necessary land-line technology at certain Surf-Cam

locations.

Serving Customers Through Wireless Technology

"Surfing is extremely popular in Southern California and, as a cellular service provider in this area, we

believe the GTE Surf-Cam offers a unique way to better serve our customers," says Bruce Nead, GTE

Mobilnet director of marketing and customer care. "As a high-tech company on the cutting edge of

technology, we recognize the importance and popularity of AOL's online services and see the GTE

Surf-Cam as a creative way to showcase our cellular and wireless-data technology."

SurfLink, the first online service devoted strictly to the surfing culture, is a service of the AOL

Greenhouse, a business unit of America Online that supports entrepreneurs in the creation of

groundbreaking interactive content developed exclusively for the online medium. Designed as a

comprehensive resource for all surf-related information, SurfLink features Southern California

coastline Surf-Cam images, schedules and timely coverage of surf events, worldwide surf reports,

surf trivia and photo contests, current news from surfing associations, coastal environmental efforts

updates, as well as live interactive capabilities.

"The Surf-Cam enables surfers to get the latest, most detailed information on surf conditions from

home and is the next best thing to actually being at the beach," according to SurfLink president Mark

Bertignoli. "Our online service is visited by an average of 15,000 people per day and we are excited

about this latest evolution to the comprehensive resource we provide."

GTE Mobilnet is one of the world's largest cellular service providers. The company currently has

more than three million customers out of an industry total of approximately 34 million. The company

is a wholly owned subsidiary of GTE Corp., one of the largest publicly held telecommunications

companies in the world.