Iusacell Deploys One of Latin America's First Phone Fingerprinting Fraud Protection Systems

Mexico City, Mexico — Iusacell (NYSE: CEL), Bell Atlantic's communications venture in Mexico, announced today it will deploy one of Latin America's first phone fingerprinting systems to guard against cellular fraud. The company signed a contract today with Corsair Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAIR), to implement PhonePrintr technology in Iusacell's markets during the first half of 1998.

PhonePrint creates an individual profile based on the unique RF (Radio Frequency) signature, or "fingerprint," of a cellular phone. If the network detects a mismatch between a cellular phone's number and its RF fingerprint, the system can reject the bogus call before it's completed.

"Our PhonePrint deployment is another sign of Iusacell's leadership in fighting cellular fraud and in bringing cutting-edge technology to market," said Fulvio Del Valle, President and Director General of Iusacell. "And by leveraging Bell Atlantic's experience in the U.S., we are continuing to develop a comprehensive platform for fraud prevention."

The PhonePrint deployment is the fourth element in Iusacell's plan to prevent, detect, and shut down cellular bandits.

In 1997, Iusacell introduced clone prevention by assigning PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) to customers. PINs are required to place national or international long distance calls while Iusacell customers are in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

Recently, the company also signed a contract with Systems/Link Corporation for the implementation of its FraudTec2000r system that can detect unusual activity on a given account, identify potential cloning cases, and assist Iusacell's fraud group in shutting down offenders quickly. Last month, Iusacell announced its plans to invest U.S.$200 million to introduce CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) digital service, adding new services like Caller ID and short text messaging. CDMA's inherent encryption technology also offers additional high levels of fraud protection in the network.

In 1995, cellular fraud cost the U.S. market about $1.5 million dollars a day. Using techniques like those now being employed by Iusacell, carriers like Bell Atlantic Mobile have effectively reduced fraud by nearly 90 percent.

Iusacell is a leading independent communications company in Mexico. It provides cellular service in four of Mexico's nine regions in the central portion of Mexico, including Mexico City, covering 66 million potential customers, or 70 percent of the country's population.

Bell Atlantic - formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX - is at the forefront of the new communications, information and entertainment industry. With 40 million telephone access lines and 5.8 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 21 countries.

For more information on Iusacell contact Maria Fernanda Matus 011-525-109-5792.

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