Phones Ring, Systems Working, Bell Atlantic Reports

NEW YORK -- Bell Atlantic's telecommunications network continues to function normally, company officials reported this morning. No Y2K- related problems have emerged, though technicians continue to monitor all major network telecommunications and customer support systems.

Across the company's Maine-to-Virginia service area, call volumes were significantly higher than normal, but the network handled the traffic with minimal congestion.

"Some people would call this a non-event," said Paul Lacouture, group president-network services for Bell Atlantic, "but Bell Atlantic has worked hard for several years to ensure its customers would not be victims of the Y2K bug, and we view a smooth transition as the payoff on our investment in this area."

So far, Bell Atlantic has seen just the ordinary, minor problems that occur during any holiday weekend. Those problems were quickly handled by control centers and by thousands of other Bell Atlantic employees on the job and on call this weekend.

Bell Atlantic will remain vigilant for problems with its computerized network and support systems since national experts have warned that the Y2K bug may cause glitches well into the new year.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 43 million telephone access lines and more than 10 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.