Bell Atlantic Increases Internet Learning Day Locales Throughout Region

Bell Atlantic Increases Internet Learning Day
Locales Throughout Region

Suburban Maryland Internet Learning Day,
Seventh in Series

October 9, 1998

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Bell Atlantic is reaffirming its commitment to
Internet education by expanding its Internet Learning Day series free
programs geared to individuals without access to online training
throughout the Bell Atlantic region. At the Suburban Maryland Internet
Learning Day, to be held on Saturday at CompUSA in Rockville, Bell
Atlantic will announce that it is extending the Internet Learning Day
program into 1999.

Tomorrow's event coincides with the introduction of the new localized
Internet Guide inside the Montgomery and Prince George's county editions
of the 1998-1999 Bell Atlantic Yellow and White Pages for Suburban
Maryland. The guide, bound inside the Yellow Pages, is a step-by-step
primer designed for novice Internet users. The new edition includes a list
of recommended local, regional and national Web sites.

The Internet Learning Day program, begun in College Park, Md., in late
1997, kicked off a series of 1998 Internet Learning Day programs in nine
cities throughout the Bell Atlantic region, including Philadelphia,
Washington, D.C., and Portland, Maine. Future event locales include
Manchester, N.H., Nassau County, N.Y., and Alexandria, Va.

Internet Learning Day, sponsored by Bell Atlantic and local community
organizations, is offered to residents and small businesses without access to
Internet training. The program also includes a customized Web-marketing
session for small businesses exploring cost-effective ways to promote their
company, products and services on the World Wide Web.

"The Internet Guide and the Internet Learning Day series are targeted at
the 35 percent of the adult population without access to training about the
Internet," said Mary Jo Howe, vice president of marketing and customer
relations for Bell Atlantic Directory Services. "Offering such community-
oriented initiatives is consistent with our effort to provide local information
and services that allow for global access, such as the Internet."

Saturday's Internet Learning Day event-expected to attract some 150
participants-is co-sponsored by CompUSA, a leading computer-training firm,
and a number of community-based organizations.

Other co-sponsors, including the Career Transition Center, the Family
Stabilization Program, the Howard University Small Business Development
Center and the YMCA are participating in the day by promoting their
members' attendance. According to representatives of these community
organizations, there is a lack of available Internet education for adults of all
ages and socio-economic levels, as well as for businesses seeking to market
on the Internet.

"For our members, becoming more knowledgeable about the Internet
means becoming more marketable in the work force," said Wilhelmina
Rolark, director of the United Black Fund, a non-profit organization that
funds groups offering health and human services to the community.
"Activities such as this free Internet learning experience and the availability
of Bell Atlantic's Internet Guide are good first steps."

The advertiser-supported Internet Guide is a 12-page tabbed insert that
contains information on hardware and software requirements, a step-by-
step approach for connecting to the World Wide Web, tips on choosing an
Internet service provider and a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Participants in the beginner sessions receive information on places they can
access the Internet for free and ways to acquire a personal computer at a
reduced cost. Small business attendees participating in the Web-marketing
session receive information about online marketing techniques. Attendees
from both sessions participate in a drawing for a personal computer
donated by Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages.

The Suburban Maryland Bell Atlantic Yellow and White Pages will be
delivered during the next few weeks. The cover of the Montgomery
County Yellow and White Pages features an illustration of the Beall
Dawson House. Built in 1815 by Upton Beall, Clerk of Court for
Montgomery County, it now serves as a museum focusing on the early
history of Montgomery County.

The Prince George's County Yellow and White Pages features a cover
illustration of the Surratt House Museum, which is located in Clinton, Md.,
and was built in 1852 serving as the country home of Mary Surratt, as well
as a tavern, post office and polling place. The directory cover illustrator is
artist Mary Lynn Blasutta of New Paltz, N.Y. Her illustrations are featured
on Bell Atlantic's 500 directories in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

The new Suburban Maryland Bell Atlantic White Pages include recycling
information designed to educate consumers on what, where and how to
recycle in their area.

Bell Atlantic is the world's largest publisher of Yellow Pages shopping
directories.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and more than
seven million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are
premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, and market
leaders in wireless services. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the
world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets,
with operations and investments in 23 countries.