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Shared Technologies Cellular Acquires Retail Cellular, Inc.

27 July 1999

Shared Technologies Cellular Acquires Retail Cellular, Inc.; Distributor Known For 'As Seen On TV' Campaigns

    WETHERSFIELD, Conn.--July 26, 1999--Shared Technologies Cellular, Inc. (STC) announced today that it has acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Retail Cellular, Inc. (RCI) from Retail Distributors, Inc. (RDI), a leading provider of products to retailers under the "As Seen On TV" banner and to the public through direct-response television advertising. RCI will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of STC.
    "In the short time we've been working with RCI and RDI," said Anthony D. Autorino, STC's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, "they, together with our other distribution partners, have helped us secure tests or national rollouts from retailers representing over 55,000 outlets."
    "Essentially," Mr. Autorino continued, "we have accomplished overnight what we could not have done internally. We have added sales and marketing resources necessary to the success of our prepaid cellular program. In particular, we have acquired significant expertise in the areas of retail and direct sales and marketing, which will help us expand and improve our distribution efforts for our prepaid services and products."
    Further details of the transaction are contained in a Form 8-K filed by STC on July 23, 1999.
    Headquartered in Wethersfield, Connecticut, STC is a national cellular services provider with over ten years of cellular experience, offering rental, prepaid, and activation services across the United States. STC offers its rental services through marketing agreements with car rental companies and various airlines and hotels throughout the United States. STC's CellEase(R) prepaid cellular programs are distributed by various partners, including MCI WorldCom . These programs all employ a universal usage card utilizing technology provided under contract by Telemac Corporation, US/Intelicom, Boston Communications Group, Inc. , and JRC International. As a reseller or agent for most cellular carriers, STC can offer cellular services to approximately 98% of the U.S. population. Visit STC's interactive Web Site at http://www.CellEase.com.

    Any statements released by STC that are forward-looking are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Editors and investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties which may affect STC's business prospects and performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statement. Such risks and uncertainties may include, without limitation, technological obsolescence, price and industry competition, financing capabilities, dependence on major customers and relationships, or other factors discussed in STC's filings with the SEC on forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K.