NYNEX business link plan introduced; provides discounts on regional calling and bonus credits

NEW YORK, NY -- NYNEX Business Linksm Plan today was introduced to more than 300,000 business customers in New York State, providing them with discounts on their directly dialed regional, or toll, calls.

The plan is open to all businesses in the state with total monthly NYNEX charges of more than $85, and offers volume discounts based on every dollar spent with NYNEX, ranging from 5 to 15 percent. The plan also includes additional discounts at six month intervals that are designed to reward customers' length of time with the plan.

Regional calls, also known as toll calls, are those made outside a local calling area but within a regional calling area. Examples of regional calls are those from Manhattan to White Plains or Huntington, from Albany to Glens Falls, from Syracuse to Watertown, from Binghamton to Oneonta, or from Buffalo to Batavia.

The discounts NYNEX is offering New York businesses through its Business Link Plan are a direct result of the new regulatory environment in New York State. The Business Link Plan went into effect, pending a further review by the New York Public Service Commission.

Business customers who enroll in the Business Link Plan are not locked into a term commitment in order to earn discounts. There is no contract to sign, no fee to activate the plan, and no monthly service charge for membership.

In connection with the Business Link Plan, NYNEX will launch a television, radio, print, outdoor and direct mail advertising campaign, urging businesses to "Just Say Yes to NYNEX Business Link." The campaign was developed by Young & Rubicam, Inc.

"Price, value and a recognized name are the key determining factors when small- and medium-sized businesses look for telecommunications services," said Ward MacKenzie, NYNEX vice president for Business Network Solutions. "With NYNEX Business Link Plan, customers can get discounted prices for the regional calls and bonus credits for even greater discounts when they purchase selected NYNEX products and services that can help their business run more smoothly. With quality service from NYNEX -- New York's communications company -- and the Business Link Plan, these businesses are equipped to make the right choice for telecommunications services."

NYNEX Business Link provides for a discount on regional calls based on a business customer's total monthly NYNEX charges. Total monthly charges for NYNEX products and services are grouped into five tiers.

A loyalty bonus rewards long-term customers with an additional permanent discount of 0.5% after each six months of uninterrupted membership in the plan, up to a maximum of 4% after four years. Also, to reward customer longevity, an additional 2% permanent loyalty bonus will be awarded after 24 and 48 months of uninterrupted membership in the plan. The loyalty bonuses are cumulative.

Additional discounts will be given in the form of credits for every dollar of discounted usage. These bonus credits may be applied quarterly by customers for usage charges on their monthly NYNEX bill or when they purchase selected NYNEX products and services (Custom Calling Services, NYNEX Ringmate, NYNEX Call Answering Service, NYNEX ISDN Service, and more).

To enroll, business customers should call 1-800-232-LINK (5465).

NYNEX is a global communications and media company that provides a full range of services in the northeastern United States and high-growth markets around the world, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Gibraltar, Greece, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The Corporation is a leader in the telecommunications, wireless communications, cable television, directory publishing and entertainment and information services.