Bell Atlantic Mobile Continues Local Growth

Bell Atlantic Mobile Continues Local Growth

Regional Employment Up 25% for Second Consecutive Year Digital
Service, Wireless Data Applications Top New Technology Offerings

January 26, 1998

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Bell Atlantic Mobile increased its local employment
by 25 percent for the second year in a row, capping a decade of growth
highlighted by the addition of more than 300 employees locally during
that period and the introduction of numerous new services including
digital technology and sophisticated wireless data applications.

"Our digital services are leading the way in bringing the latest
technology to consumers and businesses," said Jerry Fountain, regional
vice president for Bell Atlantic Mobile in Pittsburgh. "We continue
to focus on customers and their needs, thus enabling us to maintain a
strong leadership position in the wireless industry in western
Pennsylvania."

Bell Atlantic Mobile commercially launched DigitalChoice^sm, its CDMA
(Code Division Multiple Access) digital service in early 1997.
Throughout the year, demand for digital services steadily grew as
consumers and businesses alike took advantage of
the high quality technology.

An easier and more affordable way for business people to fully access
the Internet and their corporate intranets while away from the office
was introduced last summer with Bell Atlantic Mobile's AirBridge®
Internet Access.

"For a flat monthly fee of $54.95, AirBridge Internet Access allows
customers to work remotely to check e-mail, look up data on corporate
databases or visit any site on the World Wide Web simply by connecting
a wireless modem to their laptop computer," Fountain explained.

Network Enhancements

With an investment of more than $200 million in the Pittsburgh network
over the last five years, Bell Atlantic Mobile continues to enhance
local service to maintain the highest quality for calls, to expand the
footprint of coverage and to upgrade the area to digital capabilities.

"Superior network, superior service," Fountain said, "that is the
commitment we have made to this region. We are dedicated to giving
our customers the highest quality in the network they use as well as
from our sales and customer service staffs that serve them."

Consumer Demand

Consumer demand continues as a driving force in the wireless services
business in this region. Fountain said added competition in the area
has given consumers more choices and gives Bell Atlantic Mobile the
opportunity to showcase its superior offerings in products and
service.

"We continuously review our products, service offerings and pricing
plans to give our customers the newest technologies and the best
selections," Fountain continued.

Focusing on customer convenience led to the opening of a number of new
retail outlets during 1997 including sales kiosks in the Franklin
Village Mall in Kittanning, in the Beaver Grove Complex in DuBois, in
the Wal-Mart stores in Clearfield and St. Marys, PA and in Weston, West
Virginia; as well as in the Sun TV stores in Cranberry Township and
Washington, Pennsylvania.

Wireless Data

Consumers are also reaping the benefits of wireless data transmissions
in situations where they may not even be aware that wireless
technology is at work. Utility firms use Bell Atlantic Mobile's
wireless network to monitor pipeline pressure; vending machine
companies can ensure product freshness and availability with remote
wireless data transmissions; and wireless point of sale capabilities
allow cab companies, pizza delivery drivers and other remote sales
operations to accept credit cards and obtain instant approval
wirelessly.

Continued Community Involvement

The company expanded its commitment to community service during 1997
when Bell Atlantic Mobile's HopeLine^TM was launched with the Women's
Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. The program, which has been
used by Salvation Army homeless shelters for three years, provides
free voice mail to the residents to assist them in obtaining housing,
employment or medical services.

"We are strongly committed to western Pennsylvania," Fountain
concluded. "We moved to a new headquarters during the last quarter of
the year, and look forward to continued growth in the coming year."