Hope Offered to Victims of Domestic Violence in Bell Atlantic Mobile's Widest-Reaching Phone Donation Program Ever

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Hope Offered to Victims of Domestic Violence in Bell
Atlantic Mobile's Widest-Reaching Phone Donation
Program Ever

Company Teams with Motorola to Donate 2,500 Phones;
Furthers Commitment with $25,000 Gift to Family Violence
Prevention Fund

September 28, 1999

Media
contact:

Andrea Linskey,
(908) 306-7845

Kristen Holmes,
(617) 520-7058

BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- Bell Atlantic Mobile, a corporate leader
in the fight against domestic violence, today marked the start of Domestic
Violence Awareness Month by teaming with Motorola to donate 2,500
Motorola wireless phones to domestic violence support organizations
throughout its service area. This newest effort, part of Bell Atlantic
Mobile's "Wireless At Work" program, is one of the most
extensive domestic violence assistance program ever spearheaded by a
wireless service provider.

"By providing women who live in fear with a free wireless phone --
complete with a battery and charger, and equipped to dial 9-1-1 at the
touch of a button -- Bell Atlantic Mobile is giving them a tool that not only
can provide some peace of mind, but could also save their lives,"
said Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence. "This is a company that has recognized the
crisis of domestic violence and has put its power behind awareness and
prevention."

Also today, Bell Atlantic Mobile announced a donation of $25,000 to the
Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) for its National Workplace
Resource Center on Domestic Violence, a groundbreaking collaboration
between the FVPF, employers and unions across the country.

According to the FVPF, nearly one-third of American women (31 percent)
report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at
some point in their lives (1998 Commonwealth Fund survey).

"Domestic violence is a very real problem that is not diminishing
despite significant drops in crime rates in this country. And while it's
often swept under the rug, Domestic Violence affects our neighbors,
friends, and co-workers in ways unimaginable," said Denny Strigl,
CEO of Bell Atlantic Mobile. "Through our Wireless At Work
initiative, we have put essential communications tools in the hands of
thousands of women who need a vital, reliable link to emergency services
at times of crisis. In addition, by helping to raise awareness through
community efforts, we can help our friends and co-workers recognize the
symptoms and play an active role in both prevention and the life
rebuilding process."

Since 1995, Bell Atlantic Mobile's Wireless At Work program has
provided over 8,000 wireless phones to programs, arming thousands of
victims with emergency communications tools.

The company also created its HopeLine? program which assists victims
of domestic violence by giving them a direct link to help, most recently
through * HOPE. By dialing * HOPE, Bell Atlantic Mobile customers
have a direct link the National Domestic Violence Hotline where they can
receive advice on coping with abusive situations at anytime, when calling
from anywhere in the company's footprint.

Since 1995, Bell Atlantic Mobile has supported the Family Violence
Prevention Fund's efforts with donations. As part of its ongoing
relationship with the FVPF, Bell Atlantic Mobile will also provide
customers at its more than 200 Communications Stores with awareness
cards during October, offering tips on how to recognize whether someone
may be a victim of domestic violence.

"Not only has Bell Atlantic Mobile donated a service which is
undeniably valuable in combating domestic violence, they have proven
themselves as a leader in raising public awareness to the alarming severity
of the problem," said Esta Soler, executive director of the Family
Violence Prevention Fund. "It is this elevated awareness of
domestic violence that proves most valuable in saving lives."

This October, Bell Atlantic Mobile is teaming with the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association's (CTIA) to contribute to the
"Call to Protect" program. Under the "Call To
Protect" program, CTIA members will donate over 11,000 wireless
phones to victims. Bell Atlantic Mobile's contribution of 2,500 phones is
one of the largest among wireless carriers in CTIA's nationwide efforts.

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 6.6 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.

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