Bell Atlantic Gears Up for Another Winter Storm

Bell Atlantic Gears Up for Another Winter Storm

Company Rechecks Emergency Electrical Systems

January 15, 1998

NEW YORK -- With forecasters predicting another winter storm in the
Northeast, operations teams are rechecking generators and batteries
that provide electricity to Bell Atlantic switching offices and
equipment when commercial power is lost.

At the height of last week's devastating ice storm in upstate New York
and northern New England about 100 central offices and hundreds of
remote electronic equipment were on emergency power.

Bell Atlantic operations managers and technicians tonight are
rechecking all emergency backup equipment, something the company does
whenever inclement weather threatens, and making sure diesel and
gasoline supply tanks are adequate. In addition, the company is
closely monitoring the forecast to determine appropriate staffing of
its 3,000 technicians who are currently on the job, including hundreds
from other Bell Atlantic service areas.

Work crews continue to replace snapped utility poles and restore
downed phone wires to individual homes and businesses, while network
operations personnel work to maintain service in the company's digital
switching offices and remote equipment.

Bell Atlantic - formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX -
is at the forefront of the new communications, information and
entertainment industry. With 40 million telephone access lines and 5.8
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 21 countries.