Bell Atlantic, 3Com Announce Industry-First DSL Retail Alliance

Bell Atlantic, 3Com Announce
Industry-First DSL Retail Alliance

Technology Leaders Join Forces to Speed
Broadband Access for Consumers

Oct. 6, 1999

NEW YORK - Bell Atlantic and 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS)
have forged a groundbreaking retail agreement that will -- for the first time
-- provide consumers with convenient, one-stop shopping for high speed
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service.

As a result of this alliance, consumers will be able to walk into select retail
outlets, buy a DSL kit -- including a 3Com® HomeConnect^TM ADSL
modem -- and get all the information and software they need to use Bell
Atlantic.net high-speed Internet access service, powered by Bell Atlantic
Infospeed^SM DSL service.

"Bell Atlantic and 3Com are committed to making DSL service as
accessible and easy to use as possible for our broadband customers.
3Com's modems allow consumers to get online faster and easier than ever
before -- the first step in maximizing the benefits of our Bell
Atlantic.net/DSL Internet access service," said Fred D'Alessio, group
president - Consumer Services, Bell Atlantic. "Now consumers who want
to get DSL will be able to get started right away by shopping at their local
electronics store."

The innovative 3Com/Bell Atlantic.net ADSL Home Connection Kit is
scheduled to be available in CompUSA, Staples and other retail outlets by
the end of October 1999 (UPDATE: The kit is now expected to be available in November, instead of
October as previously announced). Interactive kiosks and
information centers will
be set up in select stores for consumers to try the service and experience
the speed and benefits of using Bell Atlantic.net powered by Personal
Infospeed DSL and the 3Com HomeConnect modem.

When customers buy the HomeConnect modem, getting Bell
Atlantic.net/DSL service up and running is a snap. Consumers can install
the HomeConnect modem and set up Bell Atlantic.net/DSL service on
their computer by themselves, so there's no waiting for a visit from a Bell
Atlantic technician and no need for re-wiring. Customers receive an
instructional CD-ROM that will walk them through the entire installation
process. Personal Infospeed DSL service can then be activated within
seven days from a Bell Atlantic facility once customers place their orders
online.

"3Com and Bell Atlantic's retail DSL solution simplifies the qualification
and purchase process, making installation and service activation easier
than ever for customers," said Jerry Devlin, vice president and general
manager for 3Com's Personal Connectivity Division. "This strategic
relationship with Bell Atlantic represents a major leap forward for
consumers and 3Com's broadband business."

At $49.95 per month, Bell Atlantic's entry-level Personal Infospeed
package -- which includes Bell Atlantic.net Internet access -- features
speeds up to 640 kilobits per second (Kbps) with unlimited use.

Infospeed DSL - Bell Atlantic's brand name for DSL - is a digital high-
speed service that provides an "always-on" link to the global Internet,
taking advantage of unused capacity in existing telephone lines. DSL
allows consumers to use a single phone line to send faxes or make phone
calls while simultaneously surfing the Internet.

Infospeed DSL is available in parts of the New York City, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Boston, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas
and parts of New Jersey. Bell Atlantic will add more communities in the
coming months as part of its plan to make 17 million residential and
business lines DSL-capable by the end of the year throughout its service
area. The company recently announced that it would accelerate its
deployment of Infospeed DSL to equip 700 of its central offices for DSL.

For more information about Bell Atlantic Infospeed DSL services,
customers can visit Bell Atlantic's Web site at
www.bellatlantic.com/infospeed or call 1-877-525-2DSL. They also can
preview Bell Atlantic's high-speed portal by visiting the same Web site.

About 3Com Corporation
With approximately 300 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation
connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking
company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network
system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network
service providers; PC OEMs and consumers. 3Com - More connected.^tm For
further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or
the press site at www.3com.com/pressbo.

About Bell Atlantic
Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With more than 43 million telephone access lines and nearly 10
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 23
countries.

3Com and the 3Com logo are registered trademarks and More connected. and
HomeConnect are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. Bell Atlantic Infospeed
DSL is a service mark of Bell Atlantic. All other company and product names
may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.