Bell Atlantic news center World Wide Web page provides reporters with News Made to Order

ARLINGTON, Va. - One address on the Internet is all reporters need to know to get the latest news on the telecommunications industry: http://www.ba.com. When they visit the redesigned Bell Atlantic News Center site, reporters now can easily search other telecommunications Web sites at the same time they check on what's happening at Bell Atlantic.

"Our News Center gives reporters covering telecommunications a valuable tool and easy access to the heart of our industry," said Eric Rabe, Bell Atlantic assistant vice president media relations. "We understand how important a quick response is to those who cover us. By using the latest World Wide Web technology, we're improving the service we provide reporters on a wide range of telecommmunications issues."

Reporters can tailor the redesigned site to meet their needs. By registering when they visit the Bell Atlantic News Center (http://www.ba.com), reporters can choose the issues they want to know about. The next time they visit the site, they will receive Bell Atlantic news on those issues first. Just as easily, they can have Bell Atlantic news releases on those topics delivered automatically to their e-mail.

Topics include: the Bell Atlantic-NYNEX merger, Internet, ISDN (integrated services digital network), new products and services, video, wireless, legal and regulatory issues, financial and philanthropy. After reporters register, they also will get a powerful search tool that will allow them to search all Bell Atlantic Web locations including the corporate site, http://www.bell-atl.com; as well as other telecommunications sites. They include: AT&T, MCI, Sprint, MFS, GTE, the other regional Bell companies and the Federal Communications Commission. More companies, including British Telecom and Bell Canada, will be added in the future.

The redesigned site also allows reporters who receive releases by e-mail to easily send a return message with comments or questions to the appropriate Bell Atlantic media relations contact.

The Bell Atlantic media relations site was produced and redesigned by Issue Dynamics, Inc., a Washington, D.C., public affairs and Internet strategic communications firm. Software was designed and developed by Viaduct Technologies of Bethesda, Md.

In addition to the new tools for reporters, the News Center provides more content on the main page and improved navigation around the site. For example, categories on the site are now listed at the top of each page, allowing users to navigate from anywhere on the site.

In 1994, Bell Atlantic was the first major corporation to offer a Web site specifically designed to meet the needs of reporters by providing all news releases, executive profiles, response statements and media contacts on line. This is the latest in a series of updated designs of the site, each using the latest Web tools and programming.

Bell Atlantic Corp. (NYSE: BEL) is at the forefront of the new communications, entertainment and information industry. In the mid-Atlantic region, the company is the premier provider of local telecommunications and advanced services. Globally, it is one of the largest investors in the high-growth wireless communication marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a substantial interest in Telecom Corp. of New Zealand and is actively developing high-growth national and international business opportunities in all phases of the industry.