Bell Atlantic Video Brings Caller ID Service to the Television Screen for Boston Subscribers

Bell Atlantic Video Brings Caller ID Service to
the
Television Screen for Boston Subscribers

November 8, 1999

RESTON, Va. -- It's all too familiar: The frustration of being interrupted
by a phone call in the middle of watching TV. Is it your daughter, your
mother or a telemarketer? Now you can find out without ever leaving the
couch.

Bell Atlantic Video is offering Boston residents the ultimate in
"frustration-free" television. A television viewer who
subscribes to DIRECTV* programming from Bell Atlantic can now find
out who is calling during a favorite show or movie by having Caller ID
service display the number of the incoming call on the television screen.

Bell Atlantic is packaging its DIRECTV offering with
TVMessengerPlus**, a product that displays names and phone numbers of
callers on TV screens of consumers who have Caller ID service.
TVMessengerPlus equipment is free to consumers in Boston who order a
DIRECTV System from Bell Atlantic Video between Nov. 1 and Dec. 30,
1999, have the system installed and activate Total Choice* programming
by Jan. 15, 2000.

"Bell Atlantic is giving subscribers the power to control telephone
interruptions," said Dick Beville, president of Bell Atlantic Video.
"We're offering customers more television choices with DIRECTV,
ending the frustration of flipping through endless reruns and commercials.
By combining extensive programming choices from DIRECTV with
Caller ID service on the TV screen, we're providing our customers a
supreme television experience."

Developed by TriNexus Technologies, TVMessenger works with Caller
ID to display incoming callers' numbers and names on the TV screen. It
also keeps a record of callers' phone numbers, names and times of calls.
For subscribers who have both Call Waiting ID and Call Waiting,
TVMessenger displays the number of an incoming call on the television
screen even when the phone is in use.

Those who become Bell Atlantic Video customers during this time also
will receive professional installation of the satellite dish and first set top
receiver from Bell Atlantic Video for $49, a $50 savings off the regular
price, and two free months of the 32 premium movie channels and more
than 25 specialty sports networks available from DIRECTV.

Bell Atlantic's complete satellite television package includes:

• Professional installation of the DIRECTV System - an 18-inch satellite
  dish and an advanced, set-top receiver with remote control -- for just
  $49 with this offer.

• Rental option for set-top boxes - eliminating up-front equipment costs.
  At a rental cost of $5.99 per month for each set-top box, Boston
  residents can enjoy the technological advantages of a high-end, digital
  set-top box.

• Simplified ordering and billing - consolidating all programming costs
  and all equipment fees into one, easy-to-read bill from Bell Atlantic
  Video.

• Customer service from a leading telecommunications company 24
  hours a day, seven days a week.

Bell Atlantic Video customers can choose a variety of programming
packages. Total Choice, the most popular DIRECTV programming
package, features more than 95 networks, including 31 commercial-free
music channels, for $29.99 per month. Customers also can choose from a
selection of premium movie packages, offering multiple channels from
such networks as HBO*, STARZ! and SHOWTIME*.

With all programming packages, subscribers have access to up to 55 pay
per view choices a day, special event pay per view selections, and every
major professional and collegiate sports subscription available.

More information on the service is available by calling 1-888-379-2355
toll-free or by visiting Bell Atlantic's Web site at
www.bellatlantic.com/digitaltv. Certain restrictions apply.

DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital satellite television service with
more than 7.7 million customers, including customers subscribing to the
medium-power PRIMESTAR By DIRECTV service.

Located in Reston, Va., Bell Atlantic Video is a subsidiary of Bell
Atlantic. Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 43 million telephone access lines
and more than 10 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 23 countries.

*DIRECTV and Total Choice are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of
Hughes Electronics Corp. The earnings of Hughes Electronics are used to
calculate the earnings per share attributable to GMH (NYSE symbol)
common stock. Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at
www.directv.com.

HBO is a registered service mark of TIME WARNER Entertainment
Company, L.P. SHOWTIME is a service mark of SHOWTIME
Networks, Inc., a VIACOM Company. All other trademarks and service
marks are the property of their respective owners.

**TVMessenger Plus is a registered trademark of TriNexus Technologies,
Inc.