Bell Atlantic Plus Adds Text Messaging to Paging Services

Bell Atlantic Plus Adds Text Messaging to Paging Services

Company Integrates Wireless, Wireline Services

September 23, 1998

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Bell Atlantic Plus announced today the availability of Text Messaging, a new service
that allows customers to receive text and numeric messages on their pagers. This service, which is
offered through a strategic alliance with Metrocall, Inc., adds to a growing array of products and
services marketed by the Arlington-based company.

Bell Atlantic Plus, a subsidiary of Bell Atlantic Corp., provides packages of telecommunications
services to residential and small business customers throughout most of the mid-Atlantic states. The
company offers residential and small business customers a one-stop shop for both wireless and Bell
Atlantic wireline telecommunications services, including cellular, paging, and internet access, as well
as serving as a source for Bell Atlantics local telephony service features such as Caller ID, Call
Waiting and Home Voice Mail.

Text Messaging allows customers to receive numeric as well as text messages via their pager. Callers
can send their important messages (such as, "Dinner at 6" or "Flight delayed") through either an operator
dispatch service or an internet messaging gateway at the Bell Atlantic Plus web site (www.bellatlantic.com/plus). Customers who subscribe to Text
Messaging through Bell Atlantic Plus will also receive three free daily information updates of the latest
news, entertainment and sports headlines.

"Were excited about the future of paging and believe it is an integral component of our
communications product set, "said Lynn Smullen Volz, Bell Atlantic Plus Paging Product Manager.
"By expanding our offerings to include Text Messaging, were meeting the growing communications needs
of our customers, while providing quality, reliability, and the convenience of an integrated bill."
She added that the service provided by Bell Atlantic Plus is excellent, with customer support available
24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Service is priced as low as $15.99 a month, depending on the plan that customers select. As part of
its Text Messaging product line, Bell Atlantic Plus is offering the Motorola JAZZ" and the Motorola
Wordline" pagers. Customers can purchase the pager for $39.99 , and pay for it in three monthly
installments.

For information on Text Messaging or other Bell Atlantic Plus services, customers should call
1-888-223-BELL (2355) or visit the companys World Wide Web site at www.bellatlantic.com/plus.

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 worlds largest publishers of directory
information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the worlds largest investors in high-growth global
communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.