Bell Atlantic Adds Local Calling To Low-Cost Consumer Service Packages

Bell Atlantic Adds Local Calling
To Low-Cost Consumer Service Packages

New Packages Have No Up-Front Charges,
Offer Up to Nine Call Management Services, Unlimited Local
Directory Assistance

May 5, 1999

NEW YORK -- Bell Atlantic is making shopping for phone services and
features easier and more economical for consumers with the addition of
two new call management packages that include local calling in the
monthly package price.

Local Packages that offer up to nine calling features along with local
service, Touch-Tone service, unlimited local directory assistance calls and
no up-front connection charges will be introduced in Bell Atlantic's
markets over the coming months. The company already offers several
discount plans for various combinations of calling features and for
regional or short distance toll calling.

"Consumers want choice, but they also want simplicity and a good
deal," said Eileen Cassidy, director of consumer package
development for Bell Atlantic. "Now they can enjoy the benefits of
a la carte shopping and pay a single, monthly price for all their local
calling and call management needs."

Although these new packages do not include regional toll calling, they can
be sold in conjunction with Bell Atlantic's Weekend Choice,
SensibleMinute and other toll plans available in most states.

"The new packages are a great deal," Cassidy said, explaining
that they will be marketed primarily to new customers and customers who
are moving. "Just pick your price range, pick your features and cash
in on the savings," Cassidy said.

Two Local Packages are being introduced this week in West Virginia.

"With the Premium Local Package, customers in West Virginia can
get up to nine call management services like Caller ID and Call Waiting to
manage incoming calls and *69 and Three-Way Calling to make
communicating more efficient. These services now can be packaged with
local service, at a saving of as much as $60 from normal rates."

A Standard Local Package combines up to three call management services
with local service. Both packages include unlimited local directory
assistance calling and Touch-Tone service. There are no up-front line
connection or service-ordering charges.

Bell Atlantic will introduce similar packages in other states soon. Pricing
will vary.

"These packages help our customers manage their
telecommunications needs and their budgets at the same time,"
Cassidy said. In many places, competing telephone companies and cable
TV providers also are bundling local service and calling features in an
attempt to attract new customers.

Bell Atlantic has been aggressively marketing a variety of consumer
packages. Its Big Deal and ValuePack offers provide savings of up to 60
percent on as many as 16 calling features with no set-up charges. With the
SoundDeal package available in some states, customers purchase their
regional toll service along with as many as 12 calling features at huge
savings over regular costs.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of
the new communications and information industry. With 43 million telephone
access lines and nine 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.