2002 Growth Strategies

Bellsouth Corp
6 November 2001



News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                For More Information, Contact:
                                                                 Jeff Battcher
                                                                  404-713-0274  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                Pattie Kushner
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                   BellSouth Details 2002 Growth Strategies
                         at New York Analyst Briefing
 Focus on Fundamentals and Execution Provide Stability and Shareholder Growth


NEW YORK - November 5, 2001 - BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS) announced
today at an analyst briefing in New York its 2002 growth projections and
outlined how BellSouth continues to focus and execute its strategies in any
economy.



'BellSouth will continue to be a major force because we have the right assets
and one of the industry's best and most experienced senior management teams,'
said Duane Ackerman, chairman and CEO of BellSouth.



At the briefing, BellSouth detailed its strategy for its targeted growth areas
of DSL, data, worldwide wireless, and long distance entry, while retaining
leadership in customer service - all of which translate to increasing
shareholder value. BellSouth also detailed how it's taken the lead in
broadband deployment, telecom services revenue growth, and customer service
satisfaction in 2001.



BellSouth Surpasses Peers and Cable Providers in DSL Growth and Customer
Satisfaction

In two years, BellSouth has amassed more than 463,000 DSL subscribers and
expects to reach its goal of 600,000 subscribers by year-end. With its rapid
acceleration and highly-targeted expansion plans, BellSouth leads other
DSL-providers in subscriber growth with 617% in 2000 and 179% growth in 2001.



In fact, BellSouth is adding subscribers in its markets an average of 10%
faster than competing cable providers and has taken a significant lead in the
key Southeastern markets of Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans and Charlotte.
BellSouth also leads the industry in DSL deployment, expecting to end the year
with more than 70% of households in its region being DSL-eligible and
increasing that number to 76% by year-end 2002.



'With our targeted DSL deployment, we waited until we had it right from a
network, technology and marketing point of view so we could reach and keep our
high-value customers,' said Ackerman.  'The wait has paid off and now we are
best-in-class in coverage and growth,' he said, referencing BellSouth's
industry leadership for its high level of customer satisfaction which has been
recognized by numerous independent authorities.



BellSouth's DSL subscriber growth is matched by anticipated year-end DSL
revenues of $225 million.  For 2002, BellSouth expects $600 million in DSL
revenues, upped from a previously projected $500 million, by nearly doubling
its subscriber base to 1.1 million DSL subscribers.



Data to Play Critical Role in All Market Segments

Data continues to play a critical role in BellSouth's evolving product mix.
Data services have gained an increasing share in BellSouth's revenues through
consistent top-line growth and robust product margins.



BellSouth expects to end 2001 with approximately $4.5 billion in data revenues
highlighted by three consecutive quarters of billion dollar revenues.
Leveraging an expansive and growing product portfolio built on connectivity
and integration, BellSouth projects to end 2002 with 22-25% growth in network
data revenues.



BellSouth attributes its success in the data market to its 'network-centric'
focus.  Over the past decade, BellSouth has emerged as the leading RBOC in
working fiber channels by investing in 4 million miles of fiber, 749 broadband
(ATM/Frame Relay) switches and 20,000 SONET rings in service in its network.
This investment has resulted in a next generation network that allows
BellSouth the capabilities to provide advanced data network services.



Focus on Scale and Profitability in Worldwide Wireless

In the US, through Cingular Wireless, BellSouth has transitioned from a
regional wireless operator to the second largest national player. Cingular's
strategy is to lead the industry in profitable growth by continuing to build
its brand, offering innovative services, and leveraging its distribution
channels, while evolving its technology and delivering strong financial
results.



Internationally, BellSouth has focused on its Latin American properties by
continuing to build out its footprint and developing operational synergies.
BellSouth now has the largest footprint in Latin America with an expansive
presence in 11 countries, holding 8 nationwide licenses.



BellSouth's continued strategy for wireless leadership in Latin America
focuses on growing its core mobile voice business profitably, utilizing its
wireless-centric infrastructure and driving revenues from mobile data,
Internet and other complementary services. Demonstrating the success of this
strategy, in less than a year, BellSouth has expanded margins in Latin America
from 21% (4Q00) to 31% (3Q01) despite economic challenges in the region.



Long Distance to Play Significant Role in 2002

By year-end, BellSouth expects a decision from the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) on its Georgia and Louisiana applications which were
unanimously approved by their respective state commissions.  BellSouth's
application in Mississippi also received unanimous state approval and is
expected to be submitted to the FCC soon, followed by several others states in
BellSouth's region.



Summary of Financial Targets

In 2001, BellSouth is leading the industry in terms of telecom services
revenue growth and expects total revenue to grow 8-9%, anticipating nearly $30
billion in total revenue by year-end.



While fueling growth initiatives such as data, long distance and broadband
DSL, BellSouth expects to continue to constrain expenses to maintain some of
the industry's strongest margins. In 2002, anticipating continued economic
challenges through at least mid-year, growth plans are expected to increase
revenue by 5-7% and earnings per share (EPS) by 7-9%.


                                             2002 Year-End Targets
Total Revenue                                5-7% growth
Network Data Revenues                        22-25% growth
Earnings Per Share                           7-9% growth
DSL Customers                                1.1 million customers
Capital Expenditures (CAPEX)                 $5.3 - $5.5 billion



About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company
headquartered in Atlanta, GA, serving more than 46 million customers in the
United States and 15 other countries.

Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides a full
array of broadband data and e-commerce solutions to business customers,
including Web hosting and other Internet services.  In the residential market,
BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access, advanced voice features and
other services.  BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising
services, including BellSouth(R) Real PagesSM.com.  BellSouth owns 40 percent
of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which
provides innovative wireless data and voice services.

                                    * * *

In addition to historical information, this document contains forward-looking
statements regarding events and financial trends.  Factors that could affect
future results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include: (i) a change
in economic conditions in domestic or international markets where we operate
or have material investments which would affect demand for our services; (ii)
the intensity of competitive activity and its resulting impact on pricing
strategies and new product offerings; (iii) higher than anticipated cash
requirements for investments, new business initiatives and acquisitions and
(iv) those factors contained in the Company's periodic reports filed with the
SEC.  The forward-looking information in this document is given as of this
date only, and BellSouth assumes no duty to update this information.