Gilbert H. Smith, Jr. to Retire from Bell Atlantic

Gilbert H. Smith, Jr. to Retire from Bell Atlantic

Delaware Executive Spearheaded Legislative, Regulatory Initiatives

December 14, 1998

WILMINGTON -- Gilbert H. Smith, Jr., Bell Atlantic - Delaware vice president
for external affairs and finance, will retire Dec. 31 after 38 years of
distinguished service.

Smith had a leading role in important legislative and regulatory initiatives on
telecommunications in recent years.

"In an era of intensifying competition and unprecedented change for Bell
Atlantic, Gil Smith played a vital role in shaping public policy that
encourages innovation and creates incentives for our company to continue
investing in Delaware," said Joshua W. Martin III, president and CEO of
Bell Atlantic - Delaware.

"Gil has strengthened Bell Atlantic's relationships with the Delaware
General Assembly, the Public Service Commission, the governor's office and
the community. His leadership has fostered a climate of cooperation and
competition, not confrontation. As a result, Delaware has an advanced
telecommunications infrastructure that is the backbone of the state's
economy, and our company is better positioned to participate in the
evolving marketplace of the 21st century," Martin said.

Smith has been active in the community, serving as a member of
the board of directors of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce,
the Delaware Safety Council, the Better Business Bureau of
Delaware, the Delaware Council on Economic Education, Blood Bank
of Delaware, Delaware Community Foundation and the Delaware
Association of Grantmakers. He is a member of the Rotary Club of
Wilmington, where he serves as general program chairman; the
University of Delaware Alumni Association, the DuPont Country
Club and the Lincoln Club of Delaware.

"My career in telecommunications has been personally rewarding
and stimulating," Smith said. "I have witnessed dramatic changes
in the industry, particularly in recent years. While I will miss
my colleagues at Bell Atlantic and the day-to-day challenges of
my work, I look forward to spending more time with my family as
well as in civic and leisure activities."

Smith, 60, began his career with Bell of Pennsylvania in operator
services and advanced through the ranks at the company in
operations, budgeting, information systems, and exchange carrier
relations before being named district manager of Delaware
operations in 1987.

The following year Smith was named director of external affairs
in Delaware. In 1990, he was promoted to executive director and
was named to his present position in July 1991.

Smith is a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and the
University of Delaware, and attended the University of Pittsburgh
Graduate School of Business. An avid golfer, Smith and his wife,
Alice, will continue to live in Greenville.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 42 million telephone access
lines and more than eight 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.