Pricing Innovations From Bell Atlantic Mobile Lead the Way for Convergence of Wireless and the Internet

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Pricing Innovations From Bell Atlantic Mobile Lead the Way for Convergence of Wireless and the Internet

New Flat-rate Pricing for Bell Atlantic Mobile's Wireless Data
Service Answers Consumer Demand for Easy Internet Access
On-the-Go

April 7, 1999

Media
contact:

Howie Waterman,
908-306-7832
Kristen Holmes,
617-520-7058

BEDMINSTER, NJ -- To capture the explosive market opportunity
presented by the widespread and growing use of the Internet, Bell Atlantic
Mobile today introduced new flat-rate pricing for wireless Internet access.
Consumers and mobile professionals increasingly need to stay connected
from wherever they are -- whether they're on a train, at the airport or even
sitting by a pool. And today's definition of staying connected no longer
means just being able to make and receive phone calls, but to send and
receive e-mail as well. According to analyst firm International Data Corp.,
by 2000, 130 million workers will send 2.8 billion e-mail messages a day.

For just $24.95 a month, consumers can always stay in touch with wireless
e-mail access; and for $39.95 a month customers can receive all the
benefits of full Internet access. This new pricing structure will help drive
a dramatic increase in wireless access to the Internet, first among mobile
work forces and then among general consumers. In fact, according to the
Yankee Group in their Mobile User Survey Series, "by 2005 the majority
of wireless mobile data users are likely to be performing wireless Internet
access, whether consciously or unconsciously."

Using Bell Atlantic Mobile's AirBridge? Internet Access service,
customers have an incentive to unplug their laptop, handheld computer
and personal digital assistant (PDA) to get secure, wireless access to the
World Wide Web virtually wherever they are -- enabling them to send and
receive e-mail, conduct Web-based research, shop online, get stock quotes,
or check their companies' intranet sites without being tied to a desk and
PC.

"We see the convergence of wireless and the Internet as the next
significant growth opportunity for both industries, and email in particular
will be the application that drives traffic on our wireless data network,"
said Jack Plating, executive vice president and chief operating officer of
Bell Atlantic Mobile. "Being connected is becoming a way of life for
consumers and a necessity in business, and now users have the option to
take this activity on-the-road easily and affordably, regardless of whether
the closest power supply is miles away. This new pricing structure is
consistent with our tradition of simple and predictable wireless service
pricing that provides consumers with more options for staying connected."

In September 1998, Bell Atlantic Mobile launched its popular
DigitalChoice SingleRateSM USA, a national flat-rate pricing plan, with no
long distance and no roaming charges coast to coast, so that consumers
could benefit from the high quality of digital cellular service with pricing
that is convenient and predictable. With the introduction of flat-rate
pricing for AirBridge data, Bell Atlantic Mobile further leverages
predictable pricing structures to change the way consumers use wireless --
enabling them to call or log on without reservation and enhancing their
lifestyle through communications when and where they want or need it.

Consumers interested in getting more information, including terms and
conditions, can call 1-800-308-DATA or visit Bell Atlantic Mobile's
Online Store at www.bam.com.

The following telecom industry analyst has been briefed on this
announcement and is available for comment:

Roberta Wiggins, The Yankee Group - 617-956-5000
Phillip Redman, The Yankee Group - 617-880-0246

In the New York, Boston, Washington/Baltimore and Pittsburgh markets,
Bell Atlantic Mobile was named leader in overall customer satisfaction
among wireless users, according to the prestigious J.D. Power and
Associates 1998 U.S. Wireless Customer Satisfaction Studysm.

Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless network in the
East, covering 120,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets
devoted exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in
Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has 6.2 million customers and 8,000
employees from Maine to Georgia and, through a separate subsidiary, in
the Southwest. Through its "Wireless at Work..." community service
program, the company uses its technology to help individuals and
communities improve security and emergency communications. Bell
Atlantic Mobile's parent is one of the world's largest wireless
communications companies, with domestic operations in 25 states and
international investments in Mexico, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For
more information on Bell Atlantic Mobile visit: www.bam.com; on global
operations visit: www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.

How to Stay Connected Without Wires

Now that Bell Atlantic Mobile has made wireless Internet access and e-
mailing affordable with predictable flat-rate pricing, you probably want to
get in on the action, but may not know how to get started. For you
technology trend-setters, here are a few helpful hints.

Determine Your Needs:

Bell Atlantic Mobile acknowledges that customers have varying needs
when it comes to the Internet, so it offers pricing options for its
AirBridge® Internet Access service based on different usage patterns.

  • If you want to use all the benefits of the Internet, such as Web site
    browsing, online shopping and e-mailing, Bell Atlantic Mobile offers
    unlimited, flat-rate Internet and e-mail service for just $39.95 a month.

  • Alternatively, for customers who need only to stay abreast of their e-
    mails, Bell Atlantic Mobile offers an AirBridge e-mail service for just
    $24.95 a month.

Pick Your Hardware:

New PC devices that feature Internet capabilities are coming onto the
market at an incredible pace. For consumers who want wireless Internet
access, picking the right Internet appliance will be a big decision. Options
include:

  • Laptop PC
  • Windows CE Handheld PCs
  • Personal digital assistants, such as the Palm III by 3Com

Another hardware must-have for a wireless Internet access solution is a
wireless modem. Bell Atlantic Mobile sells a variety of modems -- both
internal and external -- at a range of price points.

Sign Up for Service

Customers can sign up for AirBridge Internet Access service through the
following channels:

  • Bell Atlantic Mobile's Online Store (www.bam.com)
  • By calling Bell Atlantic Mobile's data service center at 1-800-308-
    DATA

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