Bell Atlantic Launches Long-Distance Service in Three States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 1996

BELL ATLANTIC LAUNCHES LONG-DISTANCE SERVICE
IN MICHIGAN, NORTH CAROLINA AND TEXAS

First Regional Bell Company To Provide Long-Distance Service
Outside Its Traditional Service Area

Arlington, VA - Bell Atlantic today becomes the first
regional Bell
company to provide long-distance service outside of its traditional
service area, the mid-Atlantic region. Bell Atlantic Communications
will begin the launch of its long-distance service in Michigan, North
Carolina and Texas with television, radio,
and newspaper advertising and marketing campaigns.

"Customers who choose Bell Atlantic as their long-distance company
will receive high-quality service at an exceptional value," said Al
Binford, president and CEO of Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc.
"They'll no longer be limited to the three long-distance companies
that have dominated the market."

"Our research tells us customers want long-distance service that's
simple, with easy-to-understand pricing plans that won't disappear in
a few weeks," said Binford. "With Bell Atlantic, there'll be
value
and quality service from a company that focuses on the customer."

While the company is concentrating its long-distance efforts in
Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas starting today, Bell Atlantic
plans to introduce long-distance service within its mid-Atlantic
region as soon as the company meets the conditions of the new
Telecommunications Act of 1996, signed into law last February by
President Clinton. "We plan to enter the in-region market next
year,"
Binford said.

The new telecommunications act allows the regional Bell telephone
companies to enter the long-distance business for the first time.
Within days of the bill's enactment, Bell Atlantic filed applications
with state regulators to get into the long-distance market outside of
its region.

Bell Atlantic Communications' television, radio, and print advertising
promoting the company's long-distance service begins within the next
few weeks. The company also has established sales offices in a number
of cities.

"We're very excited about re-entering the long-distance business,
and
we plan to provide excellent service at an outstanding value to
customers," Binford said. "Bell Atlantic brings over 100 years
of
telephone experience to our long-distance business. Consumers won't
find a better company to be their long-distance provider."

Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Bell Atlantic Corporation. Bell Atlantic Communications operates Bell
Atlantic's new nationwide long-distance business.

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 contacts:

Shirley Risoldi, 412-633-5574
shirley.a.risoldi@bell-atl.com

Alan Hill, 703-974-2134