Bell Atlantic's Private Reach Service -- a Nationwide First -- Protects Customers' Privacy, Allows Callers to Get in Touch

Bell Atlantic's Private Reach Service -- a Nationwide First --
Protects Customers' Privacy, Allows Callers to Get in Touch

New Bell Atlantic Service Expands Choices For Customers
with Non-Published Numbers

March 31, 1999

NEW YORK -- Bell Atlantic customers with non-published telephone
numbers in the New York City metropolitan area now have the best of
both worlds.

Bell Atlantic's new Private Reach Service, available now in the New York
City area, allows them to hear the recorded names and telephone numbers
of callers in the New York metropolitan area wanting to reach them
without the callers knowing their telephone number.

Bell Atlantic is the first local telephone company in the country to offer
this innovative, network-based service.

"We expect Private Reach Service will be very useful for our customers,"
said Mary Porter, Bell Atlantic product manager. "This innovative service
provides choice and control, while maintaining privacy, for customers
with numbers that are not published in the phone book or available from
directory assistance. Callers also have an easy way to contact them."

Here's how Private Reach Service works: When callers to Bell Atlantic
Directory Assistance learn that the number they are requesting is not
published, they will have the option of recording their name and telephone
number. When they do, the Bell Atlantic network will call the non-
published number and play the recording when the phone is answered. If
no one answers, the network will attempt to deliver the caller's name and
number every half-hour for up to seven hours. Attempts to deliver the
name and number recordings will not be made from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
weekdays or 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends.

Customers with non-published telephone numbers have the option of
listening to the recorded name and phone number, hanging up without
listening, or permanently discontinuing delivery of future recordings by
following the directions on the recording.

The service costs $1.50 for the caller. There is no charge to the customer
with the non-published telephone number. And, the non-published
telephone number will not be revealed to any caller.

Last Fall, a notice explaining the new service was included in telephone
bills sent to some 1.6 million customers with non-published telephone
numbers in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, Rockland and
Putnam counties in New York. Information about the new service is being
distributed in March bills to all customers in these areas.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 42 million telephone access lines
and 8.6 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.