BELL ATLANTIC SELECTS SPRINT AS A LONG-DISTANCE SERVICES PROVIDER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 1996

BELL ATLANTIC SELECTS SPRINT AS A LONG-DISTANCE SERVICES
PROVIDER

Arlington, Va. -- Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc., has selected
Sprint as a provider of interexchange services for Bell Atlantic's
initial entry into the wireline long-distance market outside of its
region.

"We negotiated aggressively with a number of major interexchange
carriers. Sprint was selected for its full array of
telecommunications services, performance and wholesale price," said
Bell Atlantic Communications President Al Binford. "Sprint's
all-digital fiber optic network, with its ability to automatically
correct problems even before they affect customers, is the
long-distance standard for network reliability, speed and quality."

Under the arrangement, which is not exclusive, Bell Atlantic will use
the Sprint network to carry its long-distance calls.

Binford noted that Bell Atlantic plans to market long-distance
services in select locales outside its region, such as in areas where
the Bell Atlantic brand is well known through its wireless operations.
"This arrangement with Sprint is an important step as we prepare to
establish ourselves in the long-distance business and as we get ready
to offer long-distance service ultimately in our home region,"
Binford
said.

On Feb. 13, Bell Atlantic became one of the first regional Bell
companies to apply for entry into the long-distance business when it
filed applications with regulators to provide long-distance service in
North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, South Carolina and Texas. "Our
applications have been well received by regulators who welcome the
competition in their states," said Binford.

Bell Atlantic Corporation (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 Corporation of New Zealand and is actively developing
high-growth national and international business opportunities in all
phases of the industry.

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for more information, contact:

Shirley Risoldi, 412-633-5574
shirley.a.risoldi@bell-atl.com