GTE Internetworkings GTE.net Internet Service Surpasses Half Million Subscribers: Fast Becoming Leading Consumer and Small Business Internet Service Providers

GTE Internetworking, a division of GTE Corp. (NYSE:GTE), today announced that its GTE.net dial-up Internet service for consumers and small business has passed the 500,000 subscriber milestone, making it one of the fastest growing national Internet Service Providers (ISP) in the world increasing its number of subscribers by more than 200 percent per year. Through a series of strategic relationships, enhanced service package offerings and aggressive marketing efforts, GTE Internetworking has positioned itself among the industry's top service providers and continues to enjoy rapid growth.

'Our customers recognize that using GTE.net keeps them at the forefront of new Internet capabilities with industry leading speeds and reliability,' said Alex Coleman, vice president/general manager of GTE Internetworking. 'We are extremely excited about the phenomenal growth that we've experienced in such a short period of time and we look forward to building on our momentum.'

The rapid growth experienced by the GTE.net service line is largely attributed to a number of relationships formed with PC manufacturers that equip their computers with pre-loaded software that provides desktop access to the Internet service. Currently, the GTE.net software is pre-loaded software for 'Easy Internet Access' on selected Acer, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard and Sony computers.

In addition to these expanding relationships with PC manufacturers, GTE.net recently unveiled its new easy-to-use online customer registration that lets subscribers sign-up for the Internet service in real-time, finding the most current dial-in number list available.

GTE.net offers several, flexible service packages to consumers and small businesses with varying access speeds and mailbox availability. For small businesses looking to remain competitive with larger organizations, GTE.net also provides a LAN ISDN service offering higher speed Internet access and five mailboxes for multiple users in an office setting. Consumers also have multiple flat-rate options. Packages range from a $19.95/month flat rate service to a family-oriented, $29.95/month service with four e-mailboxes.

About GTE
With 1997 revenues of more than $23 billion, GTE is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and a leading provider of integrated telecommunications services. In the United States, GTE provides local service in 28 states and wireless service in 17 states; nationwide long-distance and internetworking services ranging from dial-up Internet access for residential and small-business consumers to Web-based applications for Fortune 500 companies; as well as video service in selected markets. Additional information about GTE can be found on the Internet at http://www.gte.com.

About GTE.net
The GTE.net consumer and small business dial-up Internet access service is available nationwide, and dial-up analog access, up to 56kbps, is offered for $19.95 per month for flat-rated use, and includes two megabytes of drive space on a Web server for a personal home page and 24x7 technical support. A $24.95 per month premium service package with two e-mail boxes, enhanced Web site customization services and five megabytes of drive space is also available. For customers with more additional mailboxes needs, there is a $27.95 per month premium service package with three e-mail boxes, enhanced Web site customization services and five megabytes of drive space. A $29.95 per month premium service package with four e-mail boxes, enhanced Web site customization services and five megabytes of drive space is also available at significant annual cost savings. To order GTE Internet service, customers can call 1-800-3NET-GTE (1-888-363-8483). Additional information about GTE Internet service can be found on the Internet at
http://www.gte.net.

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