-- Companies to Explore Opportunities to Drive Convergence and Extend
Broadband Usage Throughout the Home and Business --
ATLANTA, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) announced today a
strategic agreement with Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) to
explore opportunities to market and co-brand broadband-enabled devices in
consumer and business markets. This agreement comes during a time of
increasing convergence between traditional telephony, computing and
entertainment.
"BellSouth and Samsung recognize that convergence is the future of our
industries," said Randy Roberts, vice president - consumer devices &
wireless, BellSouth. "We are excited about the potential to leverage the
brand strength of both companies to provide our customers with simple,
seamlessly-integrated products."
"This is a very strategic opportunity which dramatically advances our
North American growth plans," said Dale Sohn, President of Samsung
Telecommunications America. "By joining with one of the leaders in
broadband deployment, we gain a significant presence in the United States.
Our companies' strong commitments to deliver innovative broadband services
will advance convergence and further enhance the customer experience."
The two companies will work throughout 2006 to identify opportunities
in which a relationship between BellSouth's broadband platform and
Samsung's innovative devices could extend broadband usage and deliver
enhanced solutions to BellSouth customers.
"Our vision is to enable a digital home in which a customer can share
photos and music, download and watch video, play games online, or talk to
their friends and family -- from whatever device they choose at any
location in their home," continued Roberts.
In the past year, BellSouth has continued to see tremendous growth in
its wireline DSL business as more residential and business customers
upgrade to broadband. BellSouth currently serves more than three million
DSL customers in the Southeast.
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 500 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 55.8 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 print and online directory advertising through The Real Yellow
Pages(R) and YELLOWPAGES.COM(TM) from BellSouth.
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
http://www.bellsouth.com.
About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, L.P., a Dallas-based subsidiary of
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless
handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more
information, see STA's website at http://www.samsungusa.com.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor,
telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with
2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5
billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 90 offices in 51
countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital
Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor
Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the
fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of
digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs. For more
information, please visit http://www.samsung.com.
SOURCE BellSouth Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.bellsouth.com
http://www.samsungusa.com http://www.samsung.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/095650.html/
CONTACT:
Nadine Randall of BellSouth Corporation,
+1-404-829-8724, or Nadine.Randall@bellsouth.com
|
