Bell Atlantic, C-TEC Agree to Interconnect Networks in Pennsylvania

Bell Atlantic, C-TEC Agree to Interconnect
Networks in Pennsylvania

October 24, 1996

Arlington, VA -
Bell Atlantic-Pennsylvania and subsidiaries of C-TEC
Corp. signed two agreements today to interconnect their networks in
Pennsylvania. C-TEC joins three other companies that have signed
interconnection agreements with Bell Atlantic.

The agreements meet the 14-point checklist of the Telecommunications
Act, as well as requirements established by the FCC order. The
agreements bring Bell Atlantic a significant step closer to achieving
authority to offer a full package of local and long distance services
to its customers.

Specifically, Bell Atlantic's agreements signed today are with
Commonwealth Communications, Inc., and with Residential Communications
Network and Commonwealth Long Distance.

Since passage of the telecommunications legislation early this year,
Bell Atlantic operating companies have forged agreements with: MFS
Communications with all Bell Atlantic operating companies except
West
Virginia; Eastern
Telelogic with Bell Atlantic-Pennsylvania, Bell
Atlantic-New Jersey and Bell Atlantic-Delaware, and Jones
Telecommunications of Virginia with Bell Atlantic-Virginia.

Today's agreements cover the comprehensive interconnection
arrangements that Bell Atlantic and C-TEC will utilize to interconnect
their networks and exchange traffic. Among other items, the
agreements call for:

• reciprocal per-minute charges of $.003-.005 for the completion of
  local calls originated by the other company's customers;

• access to pieces of Bell Atlantic's network ("unbundled network
  elements"), and

• the ability for customers to switch from one company to another
  without having to change telephone numbers.

"These agreements will benefit both consumers and the companies
involved. We're now a step closer to bringing true competition to the
long distance market in Pennsylvania," said Pat Hanley, Bell
Atlantic's president for the Carrier Services line of
business.

Bell Atlantic and C-TEC will file the agreements with the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission for approval. A decision is expected by
mid-January. However, both companies will begin implementation
activities immediately.

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.

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