Bell Atlantic Offers Boston-Area Customers Bold Package of High-Speed Internet access, Satellite TV and Cellular Air Time

Bell Atlantic Offers Boston-Area Customers Bold Package of High-Speed Internet Access, Satellite TV and Cellular Air Time

Limited Promotion Includes Infospeed DSL, DIRECTV® Programming And Bell Atlantic Mobile's DigitalChoice Wireless Plans

March, 9 2000

BOSTON -Bell Atlantic has begun to leverage its broad product mix by introducing one of the most exciting combinations of telecommunications services ever available to many Boston-area consumers.

The promotion is targeted to customers located where Bell Atlantic's high-speed Internet access service -- Infospeed^sm DSL - and Bell Atlantic DIRECTV® are available. It includes Infospeedsm DSL (digital subscriber line) service, DIRECTV® programming with hundreds of digital television channels and free air time on select Bell Atlantic Mobile wireless service plans. The package is available only by dialing a special toll-free number, which is being provided to eligible customers via direct mail.

"Until now, no telecommunications company has had such an attractive combination of telecommunications and entertainment products," said Robert Ingalls, Bell Atlantic vice president for consumer marketing. "Our customers will need to make only one call to purchase a valuable and diverse set of products and receive some great savings at the same time."

The new package was introduced recently in the Boston area. It includes a special DSL modem offer and free service connection. For customers who also choose DIRECTV® digital television programming, the package includes free standard professional installation of a DIRECTV 18-inch satellite dish and up to two receivers, an additional savings of up to $149.

Consumers who buy the two products as part of the package will save even more if they buy one of Bell Atlantic Mobile's select DigitalChoice wireless plans. They'll receive a coupon giving them 10 percent more home airtime minutes every month for the length of their service plan.

"This is a true winner for consumers because it provides the convenience of one phone call and savings on every product they buy," Ingalls said. "We are making this package available to Boston customers first because they have responded to our great mix of services individually and because we want to make a bold statement in this very competitive market.

"Our goal is to offer valued services assembled in attractive packages so we'll remain the customer's first choice for telecommunications and information services," Ingalls said.

The special offer is available until March 31 only where Infospeed DSL is available in the 617 and 781 area code regions. Those customers are receiving information about the special offer in the mail. For customers who do not qualify for Infospeed DSL service, partial promotional benefits will still apply. To order, customers should call (800) 926-9527 between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With nearly 44 million telephone access lines and 12 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 has more than 8.1 million customers, including customers subscribing to PRIMESTAR By DIRECTV. DIRECTV is a trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. Hughes Electronics is the world's leading provider of digital television entertainment, and satellite and wireless systems and services. The earnings of Hughes Electronics, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE: GMH). Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at www.directv.com.