Bell Atlantic-DE Customers Benefit from Basic Rate Reductions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 1996

BELL ATLANTIC-DELAWARE CUSTOMERS BENEFIT FROM BASIC RATE
REDUCTIONS

Regulatory Reform Legislation Triggers Rate Break
for Second Straight Year

WILMINGTON, DE -- Lower rates for some Bell Atlantic
basic services
in Delaware take effect July 1. Bell Atlantic-Delaware is making the
rate reductions for the second time in two years under the
Telecommunications Technology Investment Act (TTIA).

The act allows Bell Atlantic to annually adjust rates for basic
telephone services using a formula based on the national inflation
rate, minus a three percent productivity offset. In 1996, the formula
will result in about $200,000 in annual savings to Bell Atlantic
customers.

"The TTIA continues to benefit Delaware consumers and
businesses,"
said Joshua W. Martin
III, president and CEO of Bell
Atlantic-Delaware. "The legislation has resulted in affordable
phone
rates for all Delawareans and accelerated construction of a
telecommunications network in Delaware that is second to none.
Clearly, the TTIA has accomplished all the General Assembly and
Governor Carper envisioned when the bill was enacted."

The rate reductions include:

• Reduction of ten cents on monthly rates for business
  telephone
  service from $22.38 to $22.28.

• Reduction of charges for voluntary suspension of residence phone
  service from $29.72 to $10.

• Reduction of three to four cents on monthly rates for unlimited
  local calling by residential customers.
• Elimination of one-time connection charges for Bell Atlantic®
  IQ® Services of $4.99 for residential customers and $9.99 for
  business customers.

• Reduction of access rates paid by long distance companies to connect
  to the Bell Atlantic-Delaware network.

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.

####

Media contact:

Ells Edwards, 302-576-5340
ellsworth.edwards@bell-atl.com