AST Computer and Bell Atlantic Put Maryland Elementary Students on the Information Highway

AST Computer and Bell Atlantic Put Maryland Elementary Students on the
Information Highway

AST Computer Presents Logan Elementary School with High-Performance
Server

March 21, 1997

DUNDALK, Md. - Students and teachers at Logan Elementary
School in
Dundalk have upscaled their already futuristic communications network
with the addition of a high-performance server donated to the school
by AST Computer.

The Manhattan Commerce PRO server is the latest private-sector
contribution in support of Logan Online, one of the nation's first
computer learning initiatives involving a school and students' homes.
The program was launched last year with a $1.6 million commitment from
Bell Atlantic.

The server was presented today in a ceremony at the school.
Participants included Gary Mullinix, vice president of U.S. sales, AST
Computer; Sherry F.
Bellamy, president and CEO, Bell Atlantic -
Maryland; Major F. Riddick, Jr., chief of staff to Gov. Parris N.
Glendening; Darla Strouse, director of partnerships and recognition,
Maryland State Department of Education, and Dr. Anthony Marchione,
superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools.

"The AST Manhattan server is a turn-key Internet solution that can
allow Logan students and teachers to gather a wealth of information
from across the globe and send electronic mail messages faster than
ever before," Mullinix said. "The objective of our donation is
to give
the students more control over their learning experience, and encourage
them to explore new reading and research sources. How the students are
learning today is how the world will share information in the coming
years."

Bell Atlantic's three-year commitment is the largest portion of
private sector funding for Logan Online. Other participants include
the State of Maryland, Baltimore County Public Schools, Bell Atlantic
Internet Solutions, Microsoft, Xerox, AST Computer, Cisco Systems and
BGE.

During the three-year project, 180 AST personal computers are being
used by the school's third, fourth and fifth grade students, their
teachers and selected administrators. These computers will be
connected to the Manhattan Commerce PRO as part of a local area
network (LAN) at the school that gives users access to the Internet,
electronic mail and other services.

Computers installed in each third grader's home are linked to the
school and to each other through Bell Atlantic's ISDN (Integrated
Services Digital Network) lines with full access to the LAN and its
capabilities.

"Today's economy literally demands that workers have the skills to
run
a computer and get on-line," said Bellamy. "Bell Atlantic is
proud to
work in partnership with AST Computer in preparing our children for
the 21st century. We're making computers, Internet connections and
networking capabilities available to students, families, teachers and
staff so the possibilities for learning at Logan will be as endless as
the horizon and as creative and fun as a child's imagination."

The Logan Online project is serving as a laboratory for the effective
use of technology and education by combining multimedia tools with a
home/school connection that can enhance the curriculum development
already underway in many school systems today.

"AST and Bell Atlantic are excellent examples of how private-sector
companies working hand-in-hand with state government can create
innovative partnerships that are good for business and good for our
schools and communities," Riddick said. "Adding this new
high-speed
server at Logan enhances our national education model and allows
students to use a blend of education and information technology to
open new doors to expanded learning experiences."

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

AST Research Inc., a member of the
Fortune 500 list of America's
largest industrial and service companies, is one of the world's
leading personal computer manufacturers. The company develops a broad
spectrum of desktop, mobile and server PC products that are sold in
more than 100 countries worldwide. AST systems meet a wide range of
customer needs, ranging from corporate business applications to
advanced home and home office use. Corporate headquarters is located
at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005.
Telephone (714) 727-4141 or (800) 876-4278. Fax: (714)
727-9355.
Information about AST and its products can be found on the World Wide
Web at http://www.ast.com.

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