Local Victims of Domestic Violence Get Wireless Lifeline Through Bell Atlantic Mobile Phone Donation Program

Local Victims of Domestic Violence Get Wireless Lifeline Through Bell
Atlantic Mobile Phone Donation Program

Company Teams With Motorola To Donate 200 Phones Through District
Attorney's Office

October 14, 1999

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Emergency assistance is now just a "push of
a button" away for victims of domestic violence through a program
announced today by Bell Atlantic Mobile and Allegheny County District
Attorney Stephen Zappala.

Bell Atlantic Mobile and Motorola are donating 200 wireless phones
through the District Attorney's Domestic Violence Unit to area shelters for
victims to use when away from the shelter to call for emergency
assistance. Pre-programmed to dial 9-1-1 at the touch of a button, the
phones give women some peace of mind and could possibly save their
lives in a life-threatening situation.

The four shelters that serve victims in Allegheny County, Alle-Kiski Area
Hope Center, Crisis Center North, Women's Center & Shelter of Greater
Pittsburgh and WOMANSPLACE, will each receive phones as part of the
program.

"Bell Atlantic Mobile's program demonstrates the remarkable
difference the partnership of law enforcement and the business community
can make in addressing the serious problem of domestic violence,"
Zappala said. "Victims of domestic violence need not only the
protection of the law, but also support from the community. The donation
of the phones will provide an important link between victims and the 911
assistance system."

Roger Tang, regional vice president for Bell Atlantic Mobile in Pittsburgh,
said the company has been committed to domestic violence awareness and
prevention since 1995.

"We are putting essential communications tools in the hands of
thousands of women who need a vital, reliable link to emergency services
at times of crisis," Tang said. "We hope to play an active role
in prevention and speeding the life-rebuilding process through this
donation, and by raising awareness of the issue to help our friends and co-
workers to recognize the symptoms and provide what assistance is
possible."

Earlier this month, Bell Atlantic Mobile sponsored a Domestic Violence
Awareness Seminar at its Pittsburgh headquarters for regional employers
to be trained in how to identify and assist employees who may be victims.
To date, the company's Wireless At Work program has provided more
than 8,000 wireless phones to programs, arming thousands of victims with
emergency communications tools. The company also created its
HopeLine? program, a free wireless voice mail system, which gives
shelter residents a direct link to potential employers, alternate housing,
additional social and medical services, and family members with whom
they need to stay in touch.

Tang said the company has also recently worked on programs with the
Volunteers Against Abuse Center of Butler County and the Washington
Women's Center in Washington, Pennsylvania, each of which will receive
a dozen phones.

Editor's Note: Bell Atlantic Mobile owns and operates the largest
wireless network in the East and systems in the Southwest, covering
180,000 square miles, and the largest chain of retail outlets devoted
exclusively to wireless voice, data and paging. Based in Bedminster, NJ,
Bell Atlantic Mobile has 6.6 million customers and 8,000 employees from
Maine to George and in parts of Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas.
Through its "Wireless at Work..." community service
program, the company uses its technology to help individuals and
communities improve security and emergency communications. Bell
Atlantic Mobile's parent, Bell Atlantic Corporation (NYSE:BEL) is one of
the world's largest wireless communications companies, with domestic
operations in 25 states and international investments in Mexico, Europe
and the Pacific Rim. For more information on Bell Atlantic Mobile, visit:
www.bam.com; on global operations, visit:
www.bellatlantic.com/worldwide.

Bell Atlantic Mobile's Pittsburgh Regional Headquarters, located in Thorn
Hill Industrial Park in Marshall Township, includes a local Customer
Service Department to provide personalized service to area residents and
businesses.