Bell Atlantic, Eastern Telelogic Agree to Interconnect Networks

September 16, 1996

Bell Atlantic, Eastern Telelogic Agree to Interconnect
Networks

Contracts cover Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware

Arlington, VA - Bell Atlantic and Eastern Telelogic,
Inc., signed
agreements today to interconnect their networks in Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and Delaware. The pacts represent the first agreement entered
into by Bell Atlantic since the FCC issued its order implementing the
Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The agreements meet the 14-point checklist of the Telecommunications
Act, as well as the pricing and other requirements established by the
FCC order. As such, the agreements bring Bell Atlantic a significant
step closer to achieving authority to offer a full package of local
and long distance services to its customers.

Since passage of the telecommunications legislation early this year,
Bell Atlantic operating companies have forged agreements with MFS
Communications and Jones Telecommunications of Virginia.

The agreements cover the comprehensive interconnection arrangements
that Bell Atlantic and Eastern Telelogic will utilize to interconnect
their networks and exchange traffic. Among other items, the
agreements call for:

• reciprocal per-minute charges of $.003-.005 for the completion of
  local calls originated by the other company's customers;

• access to pieces of Bell Atlantic's network ("unbundled network
  elements") to Eastern Telelogic at cost-based rates, and

• the ability for customers to switch from one company to another
  without having to change telephone numbers.

Bell Atlantic and Eastern Telelogic are already exchanging calls in
Pennsylvania, but today's agreements are far broader and will lead to
vastly larger business opportunities for both companies.

"These agreements represent a significant level of cooperation
between
the Bell Atlantic and Eastern Telelogic teams, and both teams are
committed to making the agreements and the promises of the
Telecommunications Act - including full competition in all local and
long distance telecommunications markets by all providers -- a reality.
This is a sound agreement that will benefit consumers and both
companies involved," said Pat Hanley, Bell Atlantic's
president for the Carrier
Services line of business.

Bell Atlantic and Eastern Telelogic will file the agreements with the
Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey state regulators for approval.
Decisions are expected by the end of the year. However, both
companies will begin implementation activities immediately.

Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE:
BEL) is at the forefront of the new
communications, entertainment and information industry. In the
mid-Atlantic region, the company is the premier provider of local
telecommunications and advanced services. Globally, it is one of the
largest investors in the high-growth wireless communication
marketplace. Bell Atlantic also owns a substantial interest in
Telecom Corporation of New Zealand and is actively developing
high-growth national and international business opportunities in all
phases of the industry.

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Media contact:

Paul Miller (804) 772-1460
miller@ba.com