Bell Atlantic Mobile Announces Launch of Wireless Phone

Bell Atlantic Mobile Announces Launch of Wireless Phone

"RECYCLING" PROGRAM
Older Model Phones To Be Collected To Improve Public Safety

August 9, 1999

TREVOSE, PA - - We all make our best effort to recycle cans, bottles,
cardboard and newspapers. But what about wireless phones?

Bell Atlantic Mobile today announced the launch of a program aimed at
putting old and unused wireless phones to work for the good of the
community. The Company's "Wireless at Work" Phone
Recycling Program will allow wireless phone customers throughout the
Greater Philadelphia area, including suburban Philadelphia, southern New
Jersey and Delaware, to recycle their unused cellular phones by donating
their equipment to Bell Atlantic Mobile-sponsored agencies.

Bell Atlantic Mobile will work with non profit community groups
throughout the region to reprogram the donated phones to dial 9-1-1 at the
touch of a button, and then will return the phones to the groups where they
will help individuals and communities improve security and emergency
communications.

"The evolution of wireless phones from analog to digital and the
appeal of newer, smaller handsets, have produced a large supply of old,
unused equipment sitting in desks, cabinets and even toy boxes throughout
the area," said John Stratton, president of Bell Atlantic Mobile's Tri-
State Region. "Our objective is to reclaim those phones and put
them into the hands of people who need emergency
communications."

The program is open to any qualifying community service organization
willing to serve as a collection point for the used phone equipment. A
pilot program was recently launched in Camden, NJ, and Bell Atlantic
Mobile is currently collecting applications from other interested groups.

The pilot recycling program, which began in May, is a partnership
between Bell Atlantic Mobile and the Camden County Board of Chosen
Freeholders. The Freeholders' collection is aimed at putting old and
unused wireless phones to work for the good of the community. Senior
citizens and people with disabilities will be the first recipients of collected
phones. Phones are currently being collected at various drop-off points
throughout Camden County and as an added incentive, people who donate
phones are receiving a tax-deductible receipt.

Since its inception in 1995, the company's "Wireless At
Work" community service program has donated hundreds of
wireless phones to aid communities throughout the Philadelphia
Tri-State Region. For information about how to participate in the
recycling program and become a sponsored agency, please contact Bell
Atlantic Mobile's Recycling Coordinator at 215-880-0462.

Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest wireless network in the
East, covering 120,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets
devoted exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in
Bedminster, NJ, Bell Atlantic Mobile has 6.4 million customers and 8,000
employees from Maine to Georgia and, through a separate subsidiary, in
the Southwest. Through its "Wireless at Work..." community
service program, the company uses its technology to help individuals and
communities improve security and emergency communications. Bell
Atlantic Mobile's parent, Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE:BEL) is one
of the world's largest wireless communications companies, with domestic
operations in 25 states and international investments in Mexico, Europe
and the Pacific Rim. For more information on Bell Atlantic Mobile visit:
www.bam.com; on global operations visit:
www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.