Bell Atlantic Executive Morrison Webb to Leave At Close of GTE Merger

Bell Atlantic Executive Morrison Webb to Leave
At Close of GTE Merger

November 4, 1999

NEW YORK -- Morrison DeS. (Toby) Webb, Bell Atlantic executive
vice president - External Affairs and Corporate Communications, today
announced plans to leave the company following the completion of the
Bell Atlantic/GTE merger. The two companies have targeted closing their
merger late in the first quarter of 2000.

In his current position, Webb is a member of Bell Atlantic's Office of the
Chairman and responsible for all regional, national and international
government affairs; public policy initiatives; and legislative and regulatory
matters. He also oversees communications with both the media and Bell
Atlantic's 140,000 employees, as well as community and charitable
activities. He also serves on the Bell Atlantic Board of Directors.

Webb, who was executive vice president, General Counsel and Secretary
of NYNEX prior to the Bell Atlantic merger, said, "I am proud to
have honored a personal commitment to step out of the Legal Department
to help create the new Bell Atlantic.

"Now, I think it's time for me to seek out opportunities that enable
me to return to my background in the law," he noted.

Webb will remain with Bell Atlantic through the current merger at the
request of Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg.

"Toby is a respected leader in our business, with a reputation for
balance, wisdom and fairness," Seidenberg said. "I appreciate
all he has done for NYNEX and Bell Atlantic, but particularly his
willingness to honor my request to remain with our business during this
important planning period. Toby will continue to be a vital part of getting
our new company off to a great start."

Webb began his career in the industry in 1980 as an attorney for New
England Telephone. In 1983, he became a general attorney, with
responsibility for legal issues involved in New England Telephone's
divestiture from AT&T.

In 1984, Webb was appointed vice president and general counsel of
NYNEX Business Information Systems Company. From 1987 to 1991, he
served as vice president - NYNEX Government Affairs, responsible for
the activities of NYNEX's Washington office.

In 1991, Webb was elected vice president - general counsel for New
England Telephone, a position he subsequently assumed with New York
Telephone as well.

Prior to beginning his career in telecommunications, Webb was a litigation
associate with the law firm of Rogers & Wells in New York City. He
earned his law degree from Harvard, graduating cum laude in 1976.

Webb is co-chairman of the Carnegie Hall Corporate Fund and is on the
Corporate Advisory Committee of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He
is a Trustee of the National Policy Association, a Trustee of the New
England Legal Foundation, and a Trustee of the Folger Shakespeare
Library.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 43 million telephone access lines
and more than 10 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.