KIOSKS OFFER FREE ACCESS TO INTERNET AT EIGHT SITES IN MID-ATLANTIC REGION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 1996

KIOSKS OFFER FREE ACCESS TO INTERNET AT
EIGHT SITES IN MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Bell Atlantic Grant to National Public Access Telecommunications
Network/Consortium Launches "Access America" Program in
Pennsylvania,
Virginia, Maryland and Washington,
D.C.

ARLINGTON, VA - Access to the Internet, distance
learning, networking
and information of all kinds - plus training on how to use the
services -- are available for free at eight sites developed under the
"Access America" project and funded by a grant from the Bell
Atlantic
Foundation.

Bell Atlantic has provided $25,000 to carry out the eight-site
development.

"At Bell Atlantic we believe that information and access to it are
increasingly important throughout our society," said Patrick C.G.
Coulter, president of the Bell Atlantic Foundation. "Through
this
grant and these computers, and other projects like this one, we're
trying to ensure that everyone has easy and timely access to the
information they need to enrich their lives."

Bell Atlantic has supported various library and school connections
along with a number of special access projects that support people
with disabilities, the elderly, children and individuals who are
economically disadvantaged.

Eight computers loaded with the latest software were prepared by
technicians at Fairfax Cable Access Corporation (FCAC) and shipped to
sites in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, D.C., where
the public will have free access to the machines and services.
Fairfax Cable Access is a leading partner in the National Public
Access Telecommunications Network/Consortium, which hopes to turn on
as many as 110 kiosks nationwide.

"Communications technology of all kinds is a tool that should be
available to people throughout society, and lack of resources should
not bar anyone from taking advantage of the technology," said
Catherine Nemetz, director of development for Fairfax Cable Access
Corp. in Fairfax, Va.

"Most consortium members began by promoting public access to cable
television systems and went on from there to radio and other media.
This was a logical next step," said Nemetz. The sites will be open
to
the public at least 80 hours per month, with available times
publicized locally.

The eight sites served by the new computers include:

Point of Contact:

Town of Blacksburg Joy Herbert
WTOB/Channel 12 v: (540) 961-1134
Blacksburg, Va. f: (540) 951-8313
e-mail: c/o plemmons@bev.net

Catonsville Community College Aviva Adir
CTV 20 v: (410) 455-4540
Catonsville, Md. f: (410) 455-6106

Baltimore Cable Access Corp. Karen Beathea
Baltimore, Md. v: (410) 383-5556
f: (410) 383-7380

Berks Community Television Ann Sheehan
Reading, Pa. v: (610) 374-3065
f: (610) 374-3890
email: bctv@fast.net

Pittsburgh Community Television Merritt Spear
Pittsburgh, Pa. v: (412) 322-7570
f: (412) 231-2292
email: merritt@pctv21.org

Public Access Corporation of D.C. Nantz Rickard
Washington, D.C. v: (202) 659-6260
f: (202) 296-8334
email: nrick@axsomer.org

Montgomery County Public Schools Dick Lipsky
Educational Access v: (301) 279-3141
Rockville, Md. f: (301) 279-3118

Fairfax Cable Access Corp. Catherine Nemetz
Channel 10/94.5 FM v: (703) 573-1090
Fairfax, Va. (800) 99HIWAY
f: (703) 573-1910
e-mail: catnam@axsamar.org

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 contacts:

Bell Atlantic: Jim Smith (703 974-5446)
bdj6vr3@baplaza.bell-atl.com

Fairfax Cable Access Corp.: Catherine Nemetz (703) 573-1090
catnem@axsamer.org