New Bell Atlantic Offers Internet Access As First New Service In The North East

New Bell Atlantic Offers Internet Access As First New Service In The North East

August 20, 1997

NEW YORK -- Customers in New York, Boston and 15 other cities across
the Northeast now have a new way to reach cyberspace -- Bell
Atlantic.net^sm, the new dial-up Internet access service from the new
Bell Atlantic. And for those who sign up now, the offer includes an
introductory trial period of 30 days free, unlimited Internet access.

With its ease-of-use, excellent service and support, and features that
industry leaders have labeled an "attractive, leading-edge application
in local information," Bell Atlantic's dial-up Internet service is an
ideal option for customers wanting access to the Internet.

"Today's launch of Internet access in New York, Boston and other
markets is concrete evidence of Bell Atlantic's commitment to deliver
the benefits of our recent merger to customers," said Bob Beran,
president of Bell Atlantic Internet Solutions. "Bell Atlantic is
excited to be able to expand our Internet access service so rapidly
into New York and New England and believes customers in these new
markets will be as receptive to our reputation for reliable, quality
Internet access service as are our current customers."

Bell Atlantic's Internet service, which debuted last summer in the
Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and by last March had been
expanded to virtually all major mid-Atlantic markets.

Designed to meet both personal and business needs, Bell Atlantic.net
helps businesses find information and resources to start, run and/or
grow. It provides access to news, market, networking and technology
information necessary for a business to stay competitive.
Communication among workers, suppliers and customers also can be
simplified using the Internet.

Bell Atlantic.net makes using the Internet as easy as making a phone
call. Its simple-to-use navigation and Internet guides link customers
to events, organizations and services in their local community, so
anyone can plan a week-end vacation, research day-care options or find
helpful information on running a small business by using the resources
available on the Internet. Bell Atlantic.net also provides easy
access to the best of global resources, places and information in
hundreds of interest areas, including useful shopping sources such as
Big Yellow,^sm the nation's leading on-line shopping service. Bell
Atlantic has built the local links from the welcome page its
subscribers see to Web sites relevant to Boston and Springfield, Mass., New York City and
surrounding areas, Providence, R.I., Burlington and Montpelier, Vt., Manchester,
N.H., Portland, Me., and many other cities in New York and New
England. Bell Atlantic.net subscribers also are linked to Web sites
related to major cities in the mid-Atlantic states, such as
Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

Bell Atlantic.net features the Netscape Navigato¹ browser. Bell
Atlantic.net subscribers also have access to Cyber Patrol ², a tool
that enables parents to manage and control their children's Internet
access. Cyber Patrol is rated one of the best screening tools
available and is available to new Bell Atlantic.net subscribers, free
for a limited time. The offer includes one year's worth of monthly
updates, also at no charge.

Communications services for staying in touch with family, friends and
colleagues are also readily accessible with Bell Atlantic.net,
including e-mail, chat and news groups. Bell Atlantic.net is backed by
superior customer service and support available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, with the high reliability and quality customers have come
to expect from Bell Atlantic.

In order to accelerate the expansion of Bell Atlantic.net into the New
York and New England markets, Bell Atlantic has an agreement with IBM
whereby IBM Global Services will provide Bell Atlantic with Internet
connectivity and other services over the IBM Global Network. The IBM
Global Network is one of the world's largest data networks.

The price for Bell Atlantic.net is $19.95 per month for unlimited
access, which includes a separate $2.00 fee for a GSP.³ There also is an hourly plan for Bell Atlantic.net, whereby users can pay $6.95 a month for five hours
(includes a $2.00 fee for a GSP), plus $1.95 for each additional hour.

The minimum system requirements for Bell Atlantic.net are a 486
Intel-equipped, IBM-compatible PC⁴, 8 megabytes of memory, 4
megabytes of free hard disk space, Microsoft Windows 3.1, 3.11 or
Windows 95⁵, a 14.4 kilobits-per-second (kbs) modem, and a 3 1/2
inch floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive.

Customers interested in ordering a copy of Bell Atlantic.net software
and subscribing to Bell Atlantic's Internet access service can call
1-800-NET-6289. For more information on the service, customers can
visit the company's Web site at http://www.bellatlantic.net.

The new Bell Atlantic - formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and
NYNEX - is at the forefront of the new communications, information and
entertainment industry. With 40 million telephone access lines and
5.5 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 21 countries.

____________________________
¹ Trademark of Netscape Communications Corp.
² Trademark of Microsystems Software, Inc.
³ A global service provider, or SGP, is a company providing the inter-city portion of the access service.
⁴ Some other systems may also be compatible.
⁵ Windows and Windows 95 are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

FACT SHEET

Bell Atlantic.net in New York and New England

Bell Atlantic.net Service Description:

• Free copy of Netscape 3.01(1) (customized)
• Analog dial-up access
• 4X7 customer support
• E-mail
• News group services
• User-friendly navigation and Internet guide providing links to useful Web sites
• Member services: account information and on-line help
• Parental control (Cyber Patrol(2))
• Unlimited pricing plan at $19.95 a month; hourly pricing plan starting at $6.95 for the first five hours, plus $1.95 for each additional hour.(3)

Bell Atlantic.net Minimum System Requirements

• Microsoft Windows 3.0, 3.1/Windows 95(4)
• 486 Intel-equipped, IBM-compatible PC(5), 8 megabytes of memory, 4 megabytes of free hard disk space, a 14.4 kilobits-per-second (kbs) modem
• 3 1/2 inch floppy disk drive or a CD-ROM drive.

Bell Atlantic.net Service Availability:

• NY: Albany, Buffalo, Harrison, Hicksville, Kingston, Johnson City, New York City (includes Greenwich, CT), Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica
• MA: Boston, Springfield, Worcester
• ME: Augusta, Bangor, Lewiston, South Portland
• NH: Manchester
• VT: Burlington, Montpelier
• RI: Providence

____________________________________
¹Trademark of Netscape Communications Corp.
² Trademark of Microsystems Software, Inc.
³ Includes GSP charges; other charges may apply; call Bell Atlantic
for details
⁴ Windows and Windows 95 are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
⁵ Some other systems may also be compatible.