Bell Atlantic's Network Investment in New York Yields Solid Results during 1999

Bell Atlantic's Network Investment in New
York
Yields Solid Results during 1999

Nearly $2 Billion Invested in New York This Year;
Over One Million Miles of Fiber Optics Deployed in
Empire State;
Bell Atlantic First Local Bell Allowed Into Long
Distance Business

Dec. 27, 1999

NEW YORK -- New York consumers and businesses are served by one
of the most advanced telecommunications networks in the world, thanks to
an aggressive network investment program Bell Atlantic continued during
1999. The company invested nearly $2 billion in 1999 to modernize,
expand and upgrade the vast telecommunications network and systems
that serve the Empire State.

"The most significant achievement for us in New York this year is
receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission to sell
long distance service to New Yorkers, finally giving consumers an
exciting new choice for long distance," said Bell Atlantic New York
President Paul Crotty. "This is an historic first because we have
become the first Bell company in the country to receive the authority to
sell long distance. We'll be making a series of announcements about our
new local and long distance products in New York beginning on January
4.

"And as this decade ends, I'm pleased to report that we've delivered
on our promise to equip New York with an advanced telecommunications
network that will help the state, its businesses, schools, libraries and
consumers be successful in the new Millennium," Crotty added.

The funds were used primarily to expand the company's fiber--optic
facilities and to continue adding the latest technology to Bell Atlantic's
586 call--routing centers throughout the state.

Bell Atlantic added over 65,000 miles of fiber--optic cable in New York
this year, bringing the state's overall fiber--optic network to more than one
million miles -- or enough to circle the Earth 40 times. Fiber--optic
systems use laser--generated light pulses and digital technology to provide
greater capacity, higher transmission speeds and better quality for voice,
video and data transmitted over the network.

"In addition to the fiber--optic expansion, we continued to deploy
advanced technology in our statewide network of 586 call--routing centers
-- all of which utilize advanced digital technology," Crotty said.
"The net result of all this investment is that our customers are
receiving higher quality, more reliable local telephone service along with a
variety of new, optional services. And the many measurements of service
quality in the state -- including those involving feedback directly from
customers -- show that service quality in New York has improved
significantly."

Bell Atlantic also continued its aggressive efforts to open the local
telephone market in New York, investing in advanced computer systems
and service centers to serve wholesale customers. Bell Atlantic has led the
nation in opening local telephone markets and satisfying the requirements
of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

In New York, at least 74 competitors ---- including the three major long--
distance companies ---- have entered the market and now provide local
phone service over more than one and one--half million phone lines. Bell
Atlantic is required to open its local markets before it can gain federal
approval to sell long distance in a given state. The company on Dec. 22
received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to sell
long distance in New York.

Crotty noted other milestones the company achieved in New York during
1999:

• Bell Atlantic began deploying its high--speed Internet
  access service, Infospeedsm DSL, in New York City in July.
  Infospeed DSL provides customers with an always--on connection
  to the Internet with no dialing, no busy signals and no waiting.

• The company introduced National 4--1--1 directory
  assistance service in New York, offering callers a simple way to
  obtain accurate listings anywhere in the nation at affordable prices.

• Bell Atlantic introduced Private Reach service in New
  York, a new feature that allows customers to send their recorded
  name and telephone -- through Bell Atlantic -- to another customer
  who has an unpublished phone number. Bell Atlantic was the first
  company in the country to introduce this service.

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.