BELL ATLANTIC RECOGNIZES TWO ALDERSON-AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR ASSISTANCE DURING RECENT FLOODING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 1996

BELL ATLANTIC RECOGNIZES TWO ALDERSON-AREA VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPARTMENTS FOR ASSISTANCE DURING RECENT FLOODING

Firefighters' efforts helped restore Alderson
phone service more quickly

ALDERSON, W.VA. - Bell Atlantic has recognized two Alderson-area
volunteer fire departments, whose assistance last month helped company
employees restore phone service quickly to customers after severe
flooding of the Greenbrier River.

Bell Atlantic officials recently presented $500 checks to
representatives of the Tri-County and the Alderson volunteer fire
departments for assisting the company in protecting its equipment from
the flood waters.

The flooding hit particularly hard in Alderson, where Bell Atlantic
had to shut down switching equipment serving 1,500 phone lines for 28
hours as water surrounded and entered its central office. Five
members of the Tri-County Volunteer Fire Department helped Bell
Atlantic employees protect the sensitive electronic equipment by
pumping water out of the office and sandbagging the doors. The next
day, firefighters provided a pumper truck - with clean water - to
completely wash out the mud-caked office and equipment, allowing the
company to quickly restore service.

The Alderson Volunteer Fire Department members worked long hours to
coordinate all flood relief efforts in Alderson. Members dispatched
all emergency service agencies, including the fire and ambulance
squads, as well as the Alderson town crews.

"The efforts of these volunteers exemplify the spirit that's common
in
West Virginians during a crisis - a spirit of cooperation, compassion
and motivation," said Mike Newman, Bell Atlantic external affairs
manager. "Bell Atlantic is grateful for the critical assistance
provided by members of the Tri-County and Alderson volunteer fire
departments, and we hope our contributions will help them continue
their extraordinary efforts."

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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for more information, contact:

Mike Newman, 304-526-0350
michael.p.newman@bell-atl.com