Verizon Online and DIRECTV Broadband Enter into Agreement for Transition of DIRECTV DSL Customers

New York and Cupertino, Calif. -- Verizon and DIRECTV Broadband today announced an agreement to facilitate the transition of more than 27,000 DIRECTV DSL^TM customers served by Verizon DSL to Verizon DSL service in Verizon local telephone operating areas. The agreement follows an announcement made by HUGHES on Dec.13 that DIRECTV Broadband will discontinue its "DIRECTV DSL" service and immediately transition existing customers to alternative providers.

Under terms of the arrangement, DIRECTV Broadband will recommend to its customers in Verizon regions that they subscribe to Verizon Online DSL and will assist them in contacting Verizon Online to order DSL service.

"Our transition agreement with Verizon is good news for DIRECTV DSL customers in Verizon territories," said Ned Hayes, president and CEO of DIRECTV Broadband. "These customers now have an option for continued access to high-speed Internet services without having to search for a new provider. Our objective is to have a smooth movement of customers to Verizon Online DSL without significant downtime or disconnection."

"We look forward to welcoming DIRECTV Broadband customers as new Verizon Online DSL customers," said Tony Price, vice president for Verizon Advanced Services. "We're confident that these customers will enjoy our many great services that help them get the most out of their DSL high-speed connection."

DIRECTV DSL customers who sign up for Verizon Online DSL will receive benefits including:

• Special pricing of Verizon Online DSL for $39.95 a month with a one-year contract or $29.95 for the first three months and $49.95 per month thereafter (offer expires February 28, 2003);

• A wide range of services and tools, including spam filtering, an online game center, access to customized online music services, photo editing and sharing center, personalized Web site tools and much more;

• Additional services available include home networking, additional e-mail accounts and remote dial-up Internet access;

• Do-it-yourself installation kit, including DSL modem;

• Ability to use one telephone line to talk on the phone and surf the Web at the same time;

• Personalized start page, four e-mail accounts and 10 MB (megabytes) of Web space;

• 24 x 7 technical support, including online help and diagnostic tools.

DIRECTV DSL subscribers who are interested in transitioning to Verizon Online DSL can call Verizon Online toll-free at 877-389-3278. Subscribers who need a static IP (Internet protocol) address or business-grade DSL can call Verizon Online toll-free at 877-738-3278. DIRECTV DSL customers can also receive information about the Verizon transition plan and their DIRECTV DSL service at www.DIRECTVDSL.com.

####

About Verizon Online

Verizon is a leading DSL provider with more than 1.65 million DSL lines in service in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Verizon Online provides DSL, dial-up and other Internet access services to consumers and small to mid-sized businesses.

About DIRECTV Broadband, Inc.

Hughes Electronics Corporation announced on December 13, 2002 that due to changes in the terrestrial broadband industry that prohibit profitable operations, its subsidiary, DIRECTV Broadband, Inc., would close its high-speed Internet service business in approximately 90 days. DIRECTV Broadband, based in Cupertino, California, was acquired by HUGHES in April 2001 and currently serves approximately 160,000 customers with its "DIRECTV DSL" service. DIRECTV Broadband has announced transition plans with SBC, BellSouth and Verizon.