EUROTEL REINFORCES ITS POSITION AS THE MARKET LEADER


This July, the EuroTel GSM Global digital system is celebrating two years of operation in the Czech Republic.

The EuroTel GSM Global service was put into operation on July 1^st 1996, supplementing the EuroTel Classic Network, which is in operation in the Czech Republic since September of 1991. With the advent of GSM, the most widespread global standard for mobile communications, the number of mobile phone owners rose markedly. While approximately 168,000 customers used EuroTel GSM Global and EuroTel Classic mobile phones at the end of 1996, by the end of 1997 there were nearly 354,000 customers. In March of 1997, EuroTel celebrated its jubilee two hundred thousandth customer, and in September of 1997 the company celebrated its three hundred thousandth. In July of 1998, more than 450,000 customers are already using mobile telephones in the EuroTel networks.

In 1999, an additional system will probably be put into operation - a GSM 900/1800 MHz dual-band network. At the "Marathon Tent," in the lower part of Wenceslas Square, EuroTel Praha presented on 22^nd of May 1998 the first trial operation of a GSM 900/1800 network, in the Czech Republic. EuroTel´s dual-band technology will make it possible to expand capacity while maintaining the current high quality of the network.

The EuroTel GSM Global signal currently covers more than 93% of the population of the Czech Republic, including all of the largest population centers and roads or highways (E Roads = 97,76% and E50 and E55 Roads = 98,35%). EuroTel has also concluded roaming agreements, which make it possible to use GSM mobile phones in other countries as well, with 85 partners on five continents.

Since the introduction of GSM, the range of special services offered by EuroTel has rapidly increased. The traditional voice mail services were supplemented, for example, by short text messages (SMS), data and fax services, GSM InfoText, Mobile Internet, and Business Messaging Gateway services, Smart Messaging, and, furthermore, pre-paid SIM cards for GSM mobile phones, a service that goes under the trade name GO.

New, more accessible service programs appeared, as well as supplementary services that are more advantageous for the customer, such as ”Týden” and ”Víkend”. There has been a marked increase in the number of mobile phone owners that regularly pay their mobile communications services bills from giro and other bank accounts. "This shows that mobile phones have become standard equipment for businesses and households, and that mobile phone owners see EuroTel as a trustworthy, accomodating, and reliable company," says Jamie Macdonald, the acting managing director of EuroTel Praha Ltd.

In addition to its GSM Global network, EuroTel also operates the EuroTel Classic Network, whose signal covers an unsurpassed 96% of the territory and 98% of the population of the Czech Republic.

“With well over 450,000 active customers EuroTel continues to reinforce its position as the market leader for the cellular services in the Czech Republic. We are absolutely focused on maintaining the highest quality services supported with excellent customer care for our Customers for whom EuroTel continues to represent the best value for their investment in cellular service,” says Mr. Macdonald.

” The Czech market and EuroTel especially has experienced one of the fastest growth rates in the world with the density of cellphones now exceeding 7% of the population,” adds Jamie Macdonald.

EuroTel Praha Ltd is a joint venture between SPT TELECOM Inc. 51%) and Atlantic West B.V. (49%). Atlantic West B.V. is jointly owned by Bell Atlantic (NYSE:BELL) and MediaOne International, which is a part of the MediaOne Group (NYSE:UMG).

NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS,

From 1992 through 1995, EuroTel Classic service only




Prague, 20 July 1998

___________________________________________________________________________

For further information, please contact:
EuroTel Praha, Ltd.
Iva Taťounová
Tel.: 02/6701 1193, Fax: 02/6701 1195