Bell Atlantic Comments on NY PSC Filing in Support of Company's Long-Distance Application

Bell Atlantic Comments on NY PSC Filing in
Support of Company's Long-Distance
Application

PSC Files Comments with FCC Today

October 19, 1999

NEW YORK -- Bell Atlantic is looking forward to providing
New Yorkers with an exciting new choice in long-distance service,
company executives said today, following supportive comments the New
York Public Service Commission (PSC) filed with the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC).

"The PSC worked diligently to conduct a thorough, fair review and
we are very pleased to have earned its support," said Paul Crotty,
group president, Bell Atlantic - New York and Connecticut.
"Chairman Helmer and her staff provided great leadership. The
process they established for opening telecommunications markets in New
York has met the diverse needs of all parties involved in this process. In
addition, several local competitors who have run into
problems in other states have cited New York and Bell Atlantic's support
as the model for local competition.

"Today, thanks to the PSC's support, we are one step closer to
bringing New Yorkers a new choice in the long-distance
marketplace," added Crotty.

Crotty noted the agency's filing today is the product of a two-and-a-half-
year collaborative process involving Bell Atlantic, the state, and dozens of
competitors and consumer organizations.

Bell Atlantic filed its long-distance application for New York with the
FCC on Sept. 29, 1999, capping a process that began with the company's
first long-distance filing in the state in February 1997. During the two-
and-a-half-year review, Bell Atlantic implemented a set of groundbreaking
commitments to further open its local markets in New York to
competition. As a result of those efforts, Bell Atlantic has complied with
the 14-point checklist of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, and
recently earned the support of the AARP, the National Consumers League
(NCL), the National Urban League, the Communications Workers of
America (CWA) and many other organizations.

"The support of groups likes these and the PSC's filing today is a
tribute to the strength of our application," said Tom Tauke, Bell
Atlantic senior vice president, Government Relations. "We are
hopeful that the FCC and the Department of Justice will see the merits of
the PSC's input as they move forward with the review of our
application."

The Department of Justice will make its recommendation to the FCC by
Nov. 1. The FCC has 90 days to review Bell Atlantic's long distance
filing.

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.