BELL WILL BRING HIGH-SPEED DSL INTERNET SERVICE

To meet customers' growing need for bandwidth and faster Internet access, Southwestern Bell DSL, a high-speed Internet access service powered by Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology, is rolling out in Jackson1 on Oct. 24.

DSL enables customers to access the Internet or corporate networks at speeds up to 200 times faster than standard analog modems. Unlike traditional dial-up Internet access, DSL enables customers to instantly connect to the Internet without the frustrations of busy signals or waiting for the modem to dial-up.

"Customers in Jackson and elsewhere want reliable, affordable high-speed access to the Internet and corporate networks, and we're meeting this need by rapidly making Southwestern Bell DSL available throughout Southwestern Bell's territory," said Jason Few, vice president of broadband communications, SBC Communications Inc., Southwestern Bell's parent company.

"DSL is an ideal broadband solution for consumers, telecommuters and small businesses looking for faster access to online information. From shopping online to watching streaming video to accessing a corporate network from home, DSL significantly enhances the online experience."

The deployment is part of Project Pronto, a $6 billion initiative by Southwestern Bell's parent company, SBC. Project Pronto will make DSL service available to an estimated 77 million people by 2002, and dramatically increase the speed of DSL service.

Southwestern Bell DSL will initially be available to nearly 8,000 homes and businesses in Jackson. To receive service today, the phone line running from customers' homes to a DSL-equipped central office must be no longer than 17,500 feet and must meet certain transmission criteria.

Through a special promotion, qualifying customers can receive Southwestern Bell Basic DSL Internet Service with Prodigy Communications and a customized DSL-equipped Compaq Presario computer, for $59.95 per month for 28 months.

Customers will not be billed for this monthly charge until Jan., 2001.**

Currently, Southwestern Bell Basic DSL Internet Service provides downstream connection speeds up to 1.5 Mbps -- 50 times faster than a 28.8 kilobits per second (Kbps) analog modem -- and a 128 Kbps upstream connection speed. The promotion runs through Oct. 31.

Customers interested in ordering DSL service without the PC can receive Basic DSL Internet Service for $39.95 per month, with free equipment (after a $99 rebate) and free installation (for customers who choose to self-install) with a one-year term commitment. Installation is $150 for customers who do not choose to self-install.

Southwestern Bell Internet Services' Enhanced DSL Internet Service is available with downstream connection speeds up to 6 Mbps 200 times faster than a 28.8 Kbps modem and an upstream connection speed of 384 Kbps. The service is available for as low as $59.95 per month. Currently, modem equipment is $99 and installation is $250 through Oct. 31.

Downstream connection speeds vary depending on a customer's distance from the central office and other factors, but customers are guaranteed a minimum downstream sync rate of 384 Kbps or 1.5 Mbps, depending on the service purchased.

"DSL is emerging as the technology of choice for high-speed Internet and remote LAN access," Few said. "Our DSL service is widely available and affordably priced, and provides a level of choice and reliability that competing technologies cannot match."

DSL uses the same copper phone lines that run into almost every home and office. Subscribers receive a dedicated connection to their central office, which results in consistent service speeds, and can use a single line to simultaneously access the Internet and talk on the phone. DSL enables a variety of applications, including streaming video and audio, distance learning and interactive gaming.

Jackson residents can call 1-888-SWB-DSL1 or visit Southwestern Bell's Web site (www.swbell.com/dsl) for additional information. Web site visitors can enter their area code and prefix to determine if their central office is DSL-equipped.