Bell Atlantic and MCI Sign Interconnection Agreement in New York

Bell Atlantic and MCI Sign Interconnection Agreement in New York

New York Is First Bell Atlantic State to Sign with Three Largest

Carriers, Paving Way for More Competition in Long-Distance Market

September 3, 1997

NEW YORK CITY-- Bell Atlantic Corp. (NYSE:BEL) today announced

that a signed interconnection agreement with MCI has been

submitted to the New York State Public Service Commission for

approval, a move that further positions Bell Atlantic to move

ahead with plans to enter the long-distance market in the state.

New York is the first state in Bell Atlantic territory in which the

company has signed interconnection agreements with all three of the

largest long-distance carriers. The agreements with AT&T

(announced May 20), Sprint (Aug. 28) and MCI are expected to help

satisfy federal requirements that will allow Bell Atlantic to file

for approval to offer long-distance service to New York consumers.

"This is another competitive milestone for Bell Atlantic," said

Jack Goldberg, president - Telecommunications Industry Services

at Bell Atlantic. "We continue to sign agreement after agreement

with companies large and small in the spirit of open markets. This

positions us well for entry into the long-distance market in our

home region while, at the same time, we are building a robust local

wholesale business."

Today's interconnection agreement is the fifth between Bell Atlantic

and MCI specifying the terms and conditions under which Bell Atlantic

is opening local markets to competition. Previously, the companies

have signed similar pacts in Virginia (announced June 23), New Jersey

and Pennsylvania (July 10), and Washington, D.C. (July 29).

This is the 30th agreement for Bell Atlantic in New York. Bell Atlantic

has signed more than 260 agreements in its 13-state domestic wireline

service territory.

Pending approval by the Public Service Commission, the Bell Atlantic

and MCI interconnection agreement in New York will become effective

within 30 days of today's filing.

The new Bell Atlantic -- formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic

and NYNEX -- is at the forefront of the new communications, information

and entertainment industry. With 40 million telephone access lines

and 5.5 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 21 countries.