Bell Atlantic Services Sell Like Wild

Bell Atlantic Services Sell Like Wild

Simple Savings Days Campaign Sets Record During 100 Day Sales Blitz

May 18, 1998

NEW YORK -- Bell Atlantic customers eager to snap up products that simplify life on the run in the '90s have generated record sales of telephone services ranging from Caller ID to additional telephone lines during the first quarter of 1998, the company reported today. During the Bell Atlantic's Simple Savings Days sales campaign, residential customers bought 8.5 million units of optional telecommunications services, setting a record for combined sales in any quarter and surpassing the corporation's goal of 7 million units. Caller ID, HomeVoice Mail, Call Waiting and additional lines were the most popular services ordered by customers.

"These great results are a tribute to our strong marketing and sales campaign," said James G. Cullen, president and CEO, Telecom Group. "Our sales consultants have become experts at knowing which services match the communications needs of our customers. The consultants ask the right questions, suggest only the services that fit customers' needs and help them sort through the choices quickly. Our sales results show that customers like the control and convenience our services provide."

Sales of Caller ID led the 100-day campaign with a 37 percent increase over combined Bell Atlantic-NYNEX sales in the first quarter of 1997. The company's Caller ID customer base has increased 44 percent since the first quarter of last year, and nearly one in four customers now subscribes to Caller ID. Customer demand for additional lines continued as well, with sales increasing 17 percent over combined first quarter 1997 sales for Bell Atlantic and NYNEX. Home Voice Mail, the company's improvement on the answering machine, continued to post strong growth, with combined sales up 12 percent over the first quarter of 1997. Sales of Three-way Calling grew 11 percent, driven by increasing demand for teleconferencing capabilities among telecommuters.

Cullen noted the company intends to sustain the momentum generated by Simple Savings Days by providing a new series of product discounts and special offers beginning in late spring. "We'll offer savings that will appeal to a wide range of customers," he said. "There will be something in this new campaign for everyone when we announce details soon."

Bell Atlantic - formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX -- is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and 6.7 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 22 countries.

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