Bell Atlantic and NYNEX Designate Larry Babbio as Presidentand CEO, Network Group

February 12, 1997

CONTACT: Bell Atlantic -

Eric Rabe, (215) 963-6531 or NYNEX - Susan Kraus, (212)

395-2355

Bell Atlantic and NYNEX Designate Larry Babbio as President and CEO, Network Group

--Announce Additional Organizational Changes--

Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE:BEL) and NYNEX

Corporation (NYSE:NYN) today announced that Larry Babbio has

been named president and CEO of the Network Group, replacing

Dick Jalkut, who earlier this week announced his retirement.

Babbio has also been designated chairman of the Global

Wireless Group in the new Bell Atlantic.

Ivan Seidenberg, chairman and CEO of NYNEX, said:

"Larry Babbio's extensive telecommunications experience and

proven ability make him the right person to lead the Network

Group at the new Bell Atlantic. As we continue to integrate,

we're drawing on the best talents and practices of both

NYNEX and Bell Atlantic."

"We no longer look at ourselves as two separate

organizations, but as what we are becoming -- the new Bell

Atlantic. We're one team, dedicated to delivering superior

value to our customers, shareholders and employees," added

Raymond W. Smith, chairman and CEO of Bell Atlantic.

The new Bell Atlantic will have five operating groups

reporting to the Office of the Chairman:

The Telecommunications Group, led by Jim Cullen,

president and CEO; The Network Group, led by Larry Babbio,

president and CEO; The Global Wireless Group, led by Larry

Babbio, chairman; The Information Services Group, led by Mat

Stover, group president; and The International

Telecommunications Group, group president to be announced.

In addition, all business development and finance

activities in the combined company will be consolidated

under Fred Salerno, senior executive vice president and

CFO/Strategy and Business Development. Salerno will also

report to the Office of the Chairman.

"In the new structure, we are consolidating corporate

staff, adopting a single enterprise-wide approach to

staffing," said Seidenberg. "At the same time, we're

incorporating the best operational design. These

organizational changes truly represent the best of both

companies."

The proposed merger between Bell Atlantic and NYNEX

was announced April 22, 1996. The combined corporation will

serve 39 million telephone access lines in 13 states and

more than 4 million cellular customers. Shareowners of both

companies overwhelmingly approved the merger at special

meetings in November 1996.