Bell Atlantic Introduces Television Service for Apartment, Condominium, Co-op and Townhouse Residents

Bell Atlantic Introduces Television Service for Apartment,
Condominium, Co-op and Townhouse Residents

Digital Programming from DIRECTV and USSB, Combined with
Local Broadcast Reception, Provides Superior Alternative to
Cable TV in Major East Coast Locations

September 14, 1998

RESTON, Va. -- A new television service from Bell Atlantic is now
available to more than 2.5 million residents of apartment buildings,
condominiums, co-ops and townhouses in New York City, Boston,
Philadelphia, Washington and New Jersey.

This new service combines access to more than 200 available channels of
satellite-delivered programming from DIRECTV, Inc.* and U.S. Satellite
Broadcasting** (USSB)** with local broadcast channel reception for a
true alternative to cable television. It also positions Bell Atlantic to offer a
full complement of voice, data and video services to property owners and
management companies.

See related release today from Bell Atlantic on video service to single-
family homes.

"Today Bell Atlantic is ready to offer residents of apartments and other
housing complexes a choice beyond their local franchised cable operator,"
said Dick Beville, president of Bell Atlantic Video. "From now on,
building managers can call Bell Atlantic Video to offer superior channel
selection, picture quality, and customer service."

Bell Atlantic's one-stop solution provides property owners and
management companies the following benefits:

• Superior programming choices digitally delivered from industry
  leaders DIRECTV and USSB.
• Installation of all hardware by specially trained Bell Atlantic
  technicians.

With Bell Atlantic, apartment and condominium residents can economically
subscribe to the best television quality and choice available today, without
the need to purchase an individual satellite system. Using a single rooftop
dish, Bell Atlantic can supply digital signals to every residence. Bell
Atlantic's engineers and technicians also will equip each building with an
appropriate rooftop antenna for reception of local TV signals. These
antennas will be capable of receiving local digital television broadcasts that
are scheduled to begin in all of these markets by the end of this year.

Residents simply pay a rental fee of $5.99 a month per set-top box, plus
monthly charges for the programming package(s) selected from DIRECTV
and USSB. For instance, the most popular DIRECTV Total Choice*
package featuring 57 of the top channels and 31 commercial free Music
Choice channels is just $29.99 per month. Multi-channel premium movie
programming is provided by USSB starting at $10.99 per month.

"We invite comparison from every cable customer in New York, Boston,
Philadelphia, Washington and New Jersey," Beville said. "Bell Atlantic is
here to give consumers what they've been asking for -- an easy way to get
all of the benefits of digital satellite television plus their local broadcast
channels. We are a genuine, and superior, alternative to cable television.
Compare us on value, service, picture quality and channel selection. We
know we have a great product."

DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital satellite television service with
more than 3.9 million subscribers nationwide. The service offers more than
185 channels of digital entertainment, including the most popular networks
such as CNN, Disney Channel, ESPN, and USA Network.

DIRECTV is the only small dish service to offer an out-of-market pro
football sports subscription featuring up to 13 pro football games on
Sundays during the regular season. In addition, subscribers can select from
as many as 55 pay per view movie choices a day for just $2.99 each when
ordered by remote. This offers many more pay per view choices than
typical cable systems.

The ultimate movie experience on TV** is provided by USSB featuring
programming from HBO and Showtime. For instance, a package of five
channels of HBO is available for just $10.99 per month. Big Events** pay
per view programming provides exclusive events such as boxing and
concerts.

Property owners, management companies, and others can obtain more
information on the service by calling 1-888-379-2355 or by visiting the Bell
Atlantic World Wide Web site at www.bellatlantic.com/digitaltv.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and more than
seven 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.

*DIRECTV and Total Choice are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc.,
a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. The earnings of Hughes Electronics
are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to GMH (NYSE symbol)
common stock. Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at www.directv.com.
**U.S. Satellite Broadcasting, USSB, the ultimate movie experience on TV, and Big
Events are service marks of United States Satellite Broadcasting Co., Inc.

FACT SHEET

Bell Atlantic Video Introduces Digital Satellite Television Made Simple

Consumer Interest in Satellite TV is High

Nearly one-quarter of American consumers have investigated satellite
television services, such as those provided from industry leaders DIRECTV
and U.S. Satellite Broadcasting. Bell Atlantic Video has capitalized on this
enthusiasm by addressing an unmet market need, combining the digital-
quality picture clarity and extensive programming choice of digital satellite
television with one-stop shopping convenience and local broadcast channel
reception.

Bell Atlantic Video Provides Local Channel Solution

Bell Atlantic Video has solved the local broadcast channel issue for the vast
number of urban and suburban residents. With extensive testing of off-air
antenna equipment against local market signal strength, the company has
engineered multiple solutions to receive local market television signals. By
combining use of these off-air antennas with satellite receivers, Bell
Atlantic is able to offer seamless television service, with top-quality picture
and sound.

Bell Atlantic Video Simplifies Entire Process -- from Installation to
Billing

Bell Atlantic Video has also created a one-stop solution that addresses
consumer concerns about equipment, maintenance and billing related to
digital satellite television. With three easy steps, Bell Atlantic has made it
easy to get digital television.

Customers in the Washington, D.C. area and New Jersey make just one
call to 1-888-379-2355 to order service and arrange for
installation. Then, Bell Atlantic will dispatch technicians to install an
18-inch dish, advanced set-top receiver, and high-quality local channel
antenna. The technicians will also show customers how the service
works.

Bell Atlantic has created an easy-to-read bill that includes programming
package; sports subscription and pay per view charges from
DIRECTV, premium movie and special event charges from USSB and
equipment fees.

Bell Atlantic has established a central customer service center for
troubleshooting problems with equipment, installation or programming.
Bell Atlantic's experience with consumers assures them that they will
enjoy fast, reliable in-home service, when necessary.