[METROCALL LETTERHEAD]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2002

Metrocall Contact:
Timothy J. Dietz
Director, Corporate Communications
& Investor Relations
(703) 660-6677x6231
dietzt@metrocall.com

                   METROCALL ANNOUNCES EXECUTION OF AGREEMENTS
                         FOR A CONSENSUAL RESTRUCTURING

         ALEXANDRIA, VA - Thursday, May 23, 2002 Metrocall, Inc., (OTC Bulletin
Board: MCLLQ), one of the nation's largest wireless data and messaging
companies, today executed agreements with its primary creditor constituencies,
namely the senior secured lenders of Metrocall's $133 million credit facility
and a group of Metrocall's unsecured public noteholders representing in excess
of two-thirds of the total $627 million of principal outstanding. The agreements
establish the terms and conditions of a pre-negotiated plan of reorganization
soon to be proposed and implemented through a chapter 11 filing under the United
States Bankruptcy Code.

         William L. Collins III, Metrocall's Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, commented that, "these agreements represent the collective efforts of
Metrocall and its primary creditor constituencies over the past year to develop
a consensual plan for the company's corporate restructuring intended to maximize
the return to stakeholders. The company believes that its achieving consensus on
a pre-negotiated plan will be a key element of its ability to now implement its
plan of reorganization within a short period of time and in an efficient
manner."

         Metrocall's pre-negotiated plan will involve a corporate restructuring
and a recapitalization of the company's existing debt that will include the
establishment of a primary holding company, the consolidation of Metrocall's
four existing and wholly-




owned operating subsidiaries into single operating entity, and the transfer of
Metrocall's intellectual property and FCC licenses into a single wholly-owned
license subsidiary. Metrocall believes that this corporate restructuring will
help the company to further benefit from the resulting operational efficiencies.

         In accordance with the pre-negotiated plan, Metrocall's $133 million of
existing senior secured debt will be exchanged for (i) a $60 million secured
term note to be issued by the reorganized operating entity, (ii) $20 million of
paid-in-kind notes to be issued by the reorganized holding company, (iii)
preferred stock to be issued from the reorganized holding company with a $53
million liquidation preference and (iv) 42% of the new common stock of the
reorganized holding company (subject to dilution of up to 7% for options
provided to employees under a new stock option plan to be implemented
post-restructure). Metrocall further expects that its general unsecured
creditors, including the holders of its unsecured public notes, will be
exchanged for a pro rata share of (i) preferred stock of the reorganized holding
company with a $5 million liquidation preference and (ii) 58% of the new common
stock to be issued (also subject to dilution of up to 7% for the aforementioned
stock option plan to be implemented). Pursuant to the plan, ninety-five percent
of the total voting rights shall be with the preferred stock until such stock is
fully redeemed. Metrocall's plan also provides that general unsecured creditors
of its wholly owned subsidiaries will receive payment of 100% of the principal
amount of their claims upon confirmation of the proposed plan of reorganization.

         Metrocall believes that the agreements with its senior secured lenders
and unsecured public noteholders will enable Metrocall to commence its chapter
11 cases in early June 2002. Metrocall intends to move as quickly as possible to
effect its restructure and to achieve confirmation of its plan prior to October
31, 2002 and the company expects that its nationwide business operations will
continue to operate without interruption or disruption during its reorganization
process.

         Metrocall's agreement for its pre-negotiated plan is further evidence
of Metrocall's continued and proactive efforts to better align its business to
stem the negative trends experienced within the industry over the last several
years. In addition to Metrocall's on-going cost saving initiatives (in the first
quarter of 2002 Metrocall




reduced operating expenses by $15.4 million as compared to the first quarter of
2001 which, on an annual basis represents a reduction of over $60.0 million),
Metrocall's reorganization will permit the company to substantially deleverage
itself and will provide a viable capital structure in light of declining
traditional revenues and competitive pressures. Metrocall, therefore, believes
that these changes are essential for the company's long-term viability.
Additionally, Metrocall's current operations are generating sufficient cash
flows such that no debtor-in-possession financing will be needed to maintain
operations or to provide the cash distributions necessary to implement the
proposed plan upon emergence from chapter 11.

ABOUT METROCALL, INC.

         Metrocall, Inc. headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is one of the
largest wireless data and messaging companies in the United States providing
both products and services to nearly five million business and individual
subscribers. Metrocall was founded in 1965 and currently employs approximately
2,300 people nationwide. The company currently offers two-way interactive
messaging, wireless e-mail and Internet connectivity, cellular and digital PCS
phones, as well as one-way messaging services. Metrocall operates on many
nationwide, regional and local networks and can supply a wide variety of
customizable Internet-based information content services. Also, Metrocall offers
totally integrated resource management systems and communications solutions for
business and campus environments. Metrocall's wireless networks operate in the
top 1,000 markets across the nation and the company has offices in more than
thirty states. For more information on Metrocall please visit our Web site and
on-line store at www.Metrocall.com or call 800-800-2337.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This press release includes "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of
the federal securities laws, that involve uncertainties and risks. These include
statements regarding events or developments that Metrocall expects or
anticipates will occur in the future, such as statements about Metrocall's plans
to address a restructuring of Metrocall's balance sheet. A number of risks and
uncertainties could cause actual results, events, and developments to differ
from expectations. Business Risks include the possibility that two-way service
may lack vendor support, quantity and quality. Please refer to Metrocall's most
recent annual report on Form 10-K, and any subsequently filed reports on Form
10-Q and Form 8-K, as well as its other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, for a complete discussion of these and other important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected by these
forward-looking statements.

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