Bell Atlantic-Maryland Appoints New Spokesperson

September 23, 1996

Bell Atlantic-Maryland Appoints New Spokesperson

Sandra Arnette Named Manager-Media Relations

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Bell Atlantic Corporate
Communications has appointed
Sandra Arnette to the position of manager-media relations for Bell
Atlantic - Maryland, located at 1 E. Pratt St., Baltimore.

Arnette will serve as the chief media spokesperson for Bell Atlantic -
Maryland, reporting to Shannon L. Fioravanti, director - public
relations operations, Bell Atlantic Corp., Arlington, Va.

Arnette comes to Bell Atlantic from the National Association of
Housing and Redevelopment Officials in Washington, D.C., where she
supervised the organization's public affairs activities. She brings
to her new position over a decade of experience in both public
relations and journalism, having reported for The Prince George's
(Md.) Journal, the Associated Press in Washington, D.C., and WJLA
Television in Washington.

"Sandra is an outstanding communicator who earned this demanding
position through her demonstrated professionalism and knowledge of the
media," said Fioravanti. "She is precisely the professional we
need
to help reporters and customers understand the many changes facing our
industry."

A native of New York, N.Y., Arnette earned a Bachelor of Arts degree
in communications from Howard University and a Master of Science
degree in broadcast journalism from Brooklyn College. She resides in
Baltimore with her husband Earl and their two sons.

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.

####

Media contact:

Shannon Fioravanti (703) 974-5455
shannon.l.fioravanti@bell-atl.com