BellSouth CEO Speech

Bellsouth Corp
08 June 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Media Contact:
Jeff Battcher
404-713-0274
[e-mail]


         BellSouth's Ackerman Delivers Keynote at SUPERCOMM Conference

   -- Notes Telecom Winners Will Be Those Who Provide the Most Cost-Efficient
              Integrated Solutions Across All Customer Segments --

SUPERCOMM tradeshow, CHICAGO - June 8, 2005 - Speaking today at the SUPERCOMM
conference, BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS) chairman and CEO Duane Ackerman
shared his vision of BellSouth's transformation into a next generation broadband
services leader.

Finally the exciting shift is underway," Ackerman said, "from narrowband to
broadband, from circuit to packet and from wireline to wireless. As we undergo
this journey, virtually every industry - every cost structure - and every
customer experience is being transformed. And, a new broadband economy is on the
rise."

Ackerman noted that BellSouth has set its own path in an industry being defined
by big mergers and bold claims - one in which telecom companies are now clearly
moving in different directions. He stated that BellSouth's future depends on its
ability to capitalize on its industry-leading network by mapping out a wireless
and broadband future rich with opportunities for customers and shareholders
alike.

"We believe that in this dynamic IP world, there are new ways of delivering
high-speed, integrated communications without investing in yesterday's
technology or in no-growth, old-growth lines of business," he said.

According to Ackerman, BellSouth is positioned to succeed in this new telecom
marketplace - through its technology, wireless and broadband opportunities and
status as the carrier of choice to southeastern-based large businesses.

BellSouth was an early adopter of the belief that fiber will be a transport
technology of the future. The company already serves more than one million homes
with fiber-to-the- curb technology. Further, BellSouth has more than 5.2 million
miles of fiber today and is increasing that deployment by about 10 percent year
over year. In addition, almost 50 percent of BellSouth's households are served
by a combination of fiber and short loops.

BellSouth has also made significant headway in its broadband deployment
initiatives. The company has more than 2.3 million DSL customers with 80 percent
of its DSL lines capable of supporting 3Mbps of downstream speed. Additionally,
BellSouth announced Monday a 6Mbps offering that will allow the company to offer
the widest range of broadband options in the marketplace.

In the business world, BellSouth is the carrier of choice with the leading
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) packet backbone in the southeast and as
reflected in a recent survey of businesses that identified BellSouth as the
clear service and brand leader. The company's partnerships with leading
out-of-region providers allow BellSouth to offer a robust portfolio of services
to business customers across the country as well.

Additionally, BellSouth has utilized its 40% ownership stake in Cingular
Wireless(R) to succeed in the fast-growing wireless industry. Ongoing
integration initiatives between BellSouth and Cingular include a seamless
mobility trial for the business market that BellSouth announced this week. The
trial will utilize a single handset that will operate seamlessly from the
cellular network outside the office to the wireless (LAN) or Wi-Fi, within the
confines of the business.

BellSouth is building on its strategic position in the industry today to develop
a next generation network that will provide its customers not only with more
bandwidth, but also better integration.

"We listen to our customers," Ackerman said. "And they're saying give us
integrated solutions that allow us to be more connected, more productive and
more secure - at work, at home and on the road."

With new IP technology, BellSouth will continue to transform its network for the
true convergence of digital services to provide complete technology solutions
and compete head-to-head with cable. In addition, BellSouth is well-positioned
in the industry in that, unlike cable, it serves all customer segments,
including consumers, businesses, other carriers and all major industries in the
economy.

"BellSouth is focused on bringing the platform, applications and partners
together to deliver the integrated solutions that our customers want," Ackerman
said. "And we're doing it by building on the flexibility of our combined
wireline and wireless assets and our relationships with different customer
segments."

As the telecom industry continues to evolve, BellSouth is committed to providing
customers with the communications and entertainment services to meet their
needs, today and in the future.

"I believe the future belongs to those who balance vision with the fundamentals,
the short-term with the long-term, and the promise of technology with the real
needs of people," Ackerman said. "BellSouth is about striking that balance.
That's our credibility. That's who we are."

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in
Atlanta, Georgia.  BellSouth has joint control and 40 percent ownership of
Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider with
more than 50 million customers.

Backed by award winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most
comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the
market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers
can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and high-speed DSL
Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For
businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice
and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directory
advertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).

BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are
critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace.
More information about BellSouth can be found at www.bellsouth.com.



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