Bell Atlantic Raises Speeds on Information Highway

Bell Atlantic Raises Speeds on Information Highway

SABT Can Unclog Data Pipelines

February 13, 1997

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Bell Atlantic unveiled today a new
service that can
significantly increase speeds for transmitting large volumes of data.

SONET Access Broadband Transport (SABT) offers high-speed transmission
of broadband data over fiber optic lines. Transport over SONET, Bell
Atlantic's synchronous optical network, is generally available in all
major markets in the company's mid-Atlantic region.

Bell Atlantic's SABT is available with options that guard against cut
cables and other outages that would otherwise disrupt transmission.
Those customers who select the Fiber Path Diversity option get a
one-hour service guarantee. If service is out for more than an hour,
the customer receives a refund equal to one month's charges.

SABT is ideal for any customer who transmits vast amounts of data or
video and cannot afford any periods of downtime. Internet service
providers, financial and health care institutions, governmental
agencies and higher education can all benefit from SABT.

SABT lets customers connect with either OC-3 or OC-3c service,
depending on their application. SABT's OC-3 service transmits data at
155 megabits per second, which is divided into three pipelines and
three overhead channels. OC-3c service (also 155 Mbps) combines the
three pipelines into one with only one overhead, thereby increasing
the payload capacity of the single pipe.

Customers requiring a very high transmission rate for communications
for a single application will benefit from OC-3c. The service works
well between switches and/or router-based networks. It also can
provide broadcast quality video.

Bell Atlantic Corp. (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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