Bell Atlantic Unveils New Yellow Pages Cover At Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Event

Bell Atlantic Unveils New Yellow Pages Cover
At Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society Event

Headings for Buggy Whips are Replaced by Internet and
Cellular Phones

September 14, 1998

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Bell Atlantic today unveiled its new cover for the
1998-1999 Erie County Yellow and White Pages directory that features an
illustration of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society building. The
cover illustration was selected to commemorate history and change - both
for the Buffalo area and the Yellow Pages. Today's unveiling marks the
start of delivery of approximately 640,000 Bell Atlantic Erie County
Yellow and White Pages to area residents and businesses.

"Featuring an illustration of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
on the Yellow and White Pages directory reflects Bell Atlantic's
commitment to supporting the region's efforts in preserving its past, while
looking ahead to its future," said Jack Miller, vice president of New York
and national sales for Bell Atlantic Directory Services. "Bell Atlantic
applauds the work of the Historical Society in preserving its regional
history."

The new Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages also includes for the first time a two-
page Internet primer. Found in the front of the directory, the primer
provides general information and guidelines on how to get started on the
Internet.

Miller presented William H. Siener, executive director of the Buffalo and
Erie County Historical Society, with a framed cover of the 1998-1999 Bell
Atlantic Erie County Yellow Pages during the unveiling presentation.

"The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society has a distinguished history
of attracting more than 70,000 visitors a year; we are proud that now all
area residents and visitors will be reminded of our national historic
landmark every time they use the Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages," said Siener.

During the event, Miller chronicled the history of phone directories, which
quickly followed the invention of the telephone in 1876, as well as the
evolution of Yellow Pages headings.

"By looking at Yellow Pages categories you can see how society has
changed, with headings for "Corsets" and "Buggy Whips" in the 1920s
now having been replaced by headings such as "Internet Services" and
"Cellular Phones," he noted. "These changes reflect how every facet of
society has been touched by advancements in technology and other areas."

The most popular headings for the Erie County directory include: Beauty
Salons, Dentists, Florists, Lawyers, Locks & Locksmiths, Physicians &
Surgeons-Medical, Pizza and Restaurants.

The event was preceded by a breakfast at the Historical Society attended
by local officials, and members of the Society's trustees and board of
directors.

The Bell Atlantic directory cover illustrations are designed by artist Mary
Lynn Blasutta of New Paltz, N.Y. Her illustrations are featured on Bell
Atlantic's 500 directories in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

In support of Erie County recycling efforts, Bell Atlantic has included
general guidelines on what and how to recycle in the back of its new
Yellow Pages.

Founded in 1862, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society is one of
the oldest regional historical societies in the country and the largest in
Western New York. It boasts over 80,000 artifacts documenting the
cultural heritage of the region, 20,000 research books, 200,000
photographs and 2,000 manuscript collections. It is also considered one of
the largest repositories of genealogical research.

Bell Atlantic is the world's largest publisher of Yellow Pages shopping
directories. Its affiliate, Bell Atlantic Electronic Commerce Services, is the
creator of BigYellow^SM, a leading national online shopping service.

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, and market
leaders in wireless services. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the
world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets,
with operations and investments in 23 countries.