January 4, 2002 -- BellSouth Corp. (NYSE: BLS) announced that it has nearly tripled its DSL customer base with 620,500 customers in 63 total markets. This marks an increase of 405,500 customers in 2001, which represents a growth rate of 188%.

"As both a DSL wholesaler and retailer, BellSouth has demonstrated its commitment to broadband and continuing our subscriber growth and deployment are testaments to that commitment," said Ralph de la Vega, BellSouth president of broadband and Internet services. "We have led our peers in percent subscriber growth, network deployment and customer service and we anticipate that reaching our 2002 goal of 1.1 million DSL customers will further strengthen that leadership position."

BellSouth claims that its DSL success may be attributed to many factors, most significantly its deployment strategy, self-install initiative and its delivery of a quality product with superior customer service. BellSouth's aggressive, market-driven DSL deployment plan was designed to increase DSL availability. BellSouth DSL is now available to more than 15.5 million lines in its markets.

According to the company, its growth can also be attributed to its deploying DSL in more than 8,600 remote terminals, more than any other DSL provider in the industry. Enabling DSL in remote terminals allows the company to provide broadband to more customers, in many cases eliminating DSL distance limitations.

The company also says that the success of its retail self-install initiative for its residential customers was another critical factor in BellSouth's ability to reach 620,500. Refinements to the self-install kit and the addition in 2001 of self-install options for Mac, Ethernet modem and laptop users have resulted in 96% of BellSouth FastAccess DSL residential customers opting to self-install during recent months. This momentum is expected to continue in 2002 when BellSouth introduces the self-install option for business customers.

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