Ameritech Joins Forces with IBM® to Deliver Home Networking
Solutions to Consumers Across the United States

Sharing Computer Files and Internet Access Between PCs or Monitoring a Sleeping Baby From the TV is About to Get Easier for Homeowners Across the United States

Chicago - June 28, 1999. SecurityLink from Ameritech, a unit of Ameritech Corp., today announced that it has teamed with IBM to deliver IBM Home Director home networking systems to homeowners across the United States. Now, it's easier for consumers to get the most advanced home networking technology -- including telephony and video distribution, in-home PC networking, and security cameras -- from companies they trust.

Under the agreement, SecurityLink from Ameritech becomes IBM's first national systems integrator for Home Director, reaching three out of four U.S. households through 150 offices in 94 of the top 100 markets. SecurityLink from Ameritech, in turn, becomes the first national security company to offer advanced home networking technology connected with leading-edge security services to homeowners, builders and developers. The companies will introduce the program today in three major U.S. markets: Chicago, Atlanta and the Washington, DC/Baltimore area. The program will be expanded nationwide this fall. In addition, the companies will work together on market development, advertising, research and sales and technical support.

"Families today have complex needs and more technology in the home than ever. They're looking for better ways to use that technology for greater convenience and peace of mind," said Hank Monaco, vice president of marketing at SecurityLink from Ameritech. "Home Director lets us deliver a networking solution that links technology in the home to meet the varied needs of today's families and help our customers get ready for a connected future."

"Working together with SecurityLink, IBM is expanding its reach in delivering technology solutions that match consumers' lifestyles and needs," said Mary Walker, general manager, IBM Home Networking. "With their coverage in all 50 states, homeowners across the country can rely on receiving the best in home networking technology as well as superior services and support for years to come."

With the IBM Home Director system in place, consumers are able to take advantage of the networking capabilities of today and are enabled for future and emerging applications. The foundation for the Home Director system is the Home Network Connection Center, the in-home hub for a complete structured wiring solution. The Connection Center brings together various types of wire in the home, including coaxial, category 5 and telephone, into a central location so that video, data, and telephony can be distributed throughout the home. Homeowners benefit through increased signal quality, access to information, and flexibility in location. For example, the homeowner can network PCs, allowing file and printer sharing and the capability for head-to-head gaming. And with signal distribution from a single VCR or DVD to any TV in the home, homeowners can purchase fewer devices to enjoy entertainment throughout the house.

As part of the Home Director System, IBM recently introduced the first in a series of applications that take advantage of the home networking infrastructure to deliver even greater value to the consumer. Currently, these applications include the IBM Web Point and the IBM Home Network Controller. The Web Point gives families and small businesses the ability to simultaneously share a single phone line and Internet signal across multiple computers, which relieves internet scheduling issues and saves money on additional phone lines and Internet accounts*. With the IBM Home Network Controller homeowners get an integrated home management application, which lets them proactively manage heating, cooling, lighting, and security systems.

For more information on IBM Home Director, IBM's home networking products, visit the IBM Home Director Web site at www.ibm.com/homedirector or call 1-800-426-7144.

SecurityLink from Ameritech provides a variety of advanced security, fire detection and electronic monitoring systems to more than 1.2 million residential, commercial and government customers throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. For more information on the SecurityLink office nearest you, please call 1-800-626-7182, or check out the SecurityLink from Ameritech Web site at www.ameritech.com/securitylink

Ameritech (NYSE: AIT) serves millions of customers in 50 states and 40 countries. Ameritech provides a full range of communications services including local and long-distance telephone and data, cellular, paging, security, cable TV, Internet and more. One of the world's 100 largest companies, Ameritech (www.ameritech.com) has 70,000 employees, 1 million shareowners and $30 billion in assets.