New Service by VoiceStream® Wireless Offers Customer-controlled Delivery of E-mail Messages on PCS Phones

Issaquah, WA. (October 6, 1997) - Today, VoiceStreamâ Wireless moved e-mail from the PC to the PCS phone by introducing its new wireless e-mail service, @Stream. The @Stream service enables VoiceStream customers to receive customized e-mail messages through the Internet directly on their completely-digital personal communications services (PCS) phones. The VoiceStream customer has complete control of what e-mail is delivered to the phone and when it is delivered.

@Stream gives customers another tool for receiving messages inexpensively and efficiently. "Since e-mail has become an integral part of the way people stay in touch both professionally and personally, @Stream makes perfect sense, whether people need to receive messages from clients or family members," said Robert Dotson, VoiceStream’s vice president of marketing.

Different than short text message services, @Stream enables customers to receive e-mail messages from anyone with access to the Internet. The @Stream user can either use the phone’s dedicated e-mail address ("customer name" @voicestream.net) or have e-mail messages forwarded from an existing home or office e-mail address. When a message is sent to the address, it is converted and sent to the VoiceStream phone as a text message.

 The VoiceStream phone accepts messages up to 160 characters, and longer messages can be broken into multiple 160-character messages. Those with Internet access but without e-mail capabilities can send free messages to @Stream users through VoiceStream's web site (www.voicestream.com). Other @Stream features include:

• Delivery Control ¾ Enables users to control which e-mail messages are or are not sent to the phone, limits the number of messages received, deletes duplicate messages and schedules message delivery.
• Message Compression ¾ Abbreviates words to shorten the number of characters in message.
• E-mail Forwarding ¾ Forwards @Stream messages to and from any other e-mail address.

"We are responding to the needs of VoiceStream customers with the goal of making communication affordable and simple," added Dotson. "Simplifying communication means enabling customers to receive messages however it’s most convenient."

There are now more than 50 million wireless phone users in the United States (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association). In 1994 there were more than 800 billion e-mail messages sent and by the end of the year 2000, it is projected that the number will climb to 6 trillion (Electronic Messaging Association).

The cost of @Stream service is $8 per month. @Stream is a subscription service provided by Wireless Services Corp. of Bellevue, Wash., and additional hardware or software is not required by the sender or receiver. Customers can get more information on VoiceStream’s @Stream wireless e-mail by calling toll-free 1-800-937-8997.

VoiceStreamâ Wireless is the brand name for personal communications services offered by Western Wireless Corp. (NASDAQ: WWCA), a leading provider of wireless communication services in the western United States. Based in Issaquah, Wash., Western Wireless currently offers its VoiceStream service in 10 states.

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