EarthLink, BellSouth Expand Agreement

ATLANTA -- EarthLink, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELNK - News), a leading national Internet service provider, and BellSouth (NYSE: BLS - News), the leading provider of broadband services in the Southeast, today announced an expanded agreement that will give consumers greater choice in high-speed Internet service throughout BellSouth's markets. "This agreement is the first of its kind for any DSL provider in North America," said Bill Smith, chief product development and technology officer for BellSouth. "BellSouth is providing EarthLink with a new, enhanced broadband service that will make it easier for EarthLink to manage its network while ultimately providing EarthLink subscribers with a wider array of broadband services made available through this open access architecture. Additionally, EarthLink is able to enter new markets and serve even more customers through this arrangement. The agreement is a win-win scenario for BellSouth and EarthLink, but most importantly it delivers greater choice for customers." Under the financial terms of the deal, which were not disclosed, EarthLink will be able to utilize BellSouth's broadband infrastructure to serve an additional 4.5 million households, expanding its market presence to 79 cities within BellSouth's markets. With this agreement, EarthLink expects to begin widening its coverage in existing markets and introducing service in new ones during the second quarter of 2003. EarthLink Inc. BellSouth Corp.