Bell Atlantic Helps Small Businesses Relocate Without Disrupting Communications

Bell Atlantic Helps Small Businesses Relocate Without
Disrupting Communications

Company Provides Advice on Keeping Phones, Faxes
and Computers Connected

November 20, 1998

BOSTON -- Bell Atlantic is counseling small businesses on how to keep
their phones, faxes and computer communications operating without
disruption -- before, during and after a move.

The company is also advising business owners about Bell Atlantic products
and services that will help them improve productivity at their new location.

Bell Atlantic is currently offering the service in New York City, Nassau
County/Long Island and Boston, and is providing customers with a
virtually transparent shift for all their telecommunications needs.

"When you're facing a move, your communications may be the last thing
you think about, but it's the first thing you need in your new set up," said
Amy Mackoul, market manager for Bell Atlantic General Business
Services. "When Bell Atlantic learns a customer is planning a move,
company representatives call to offer their assistance. However, if business
owners do not receive a phone call, they can contact their local Bell
Atlantic business office. Customers should tell our representative they are
relocating and would like some recommendations on keeping their
communications intact throughout the process," she said.

"A move doesn't have to be a problem," Mackoul said. "It can also be an
opportunity to upgrade equipment and services for a more efficient
operation. For instance, business owners might consider adding Caller ID,
Call Forwarding and Three Way Calling or upgrading to an ISDN line for
speedy connections to the Internet for e-mail or interactive video
conferencing. More and more small businesses are adopting Internet
communications as a cost-effective way of reaching customers and
marketing products."

Communications Tips for the Big Move

Here are some communications tips for small businesses planning a move:

• A move is a good opportunity to more closely link your data
  and voice communications-for fax mail service, e-mail,
  Internet access and other services. Assess your current
  telecommunications and data equipment to decide if it's a good
  time to make a change. Your Bell Atlantic customer
  representative can work with you to develop a plan that will
  meet your needs and your budget.

• Alert your customers about the move and let them know there
  will be no disruption of service. You can do this with a mailing,
  broadcast fax or an e-mail alert.

• Draw a floor plan of the new location and carefully plot where
  furniture and equipment will be placed for an efficient
  operation. Be sure to mark existing electrical outlets and phone
  jacks.

• If you advertise in the Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages, call your
  Yellow Pages representative about your move.

For more advice on how to manage your business, visit Update Links on
the Bell Atlantic Web site at www.BellAtlantic.com/smallbiz/update.

Bell Atlantic's General Business Services offers an extensive suite of
communications solutions for small-to medium-sized businesses. Whether
for voice, data, images or video, Bell Atlantic's business solutions represent
a tailored approach for customers. Account team members and customer
representatives work closely with business owners and managers, educating
and guiding them through the complexities of today's communication
technologies. To learn more Bell Atlantic's communications solutions, visit
www.bellatlantic.com/smallbiz.

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