Bell Atlantic Hosts Second Annual Internet Learning Day for Philadelphia Residents

Bell Atlantic Hosts Second Annual Internet
Learning Day for Philadelphia Residents

Community-based Organizations Support Initiative

October 8, 1999

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- In response to the growing demand for
Internet education, Bell Atlantic will sponsor its second annual free
Internet Learning Day in Philadelphia tomorrow at the Franklin Mills
CompUSA. This event is the thirteenth in an ongoing series of Internet
Learning Days across the Bell Atlantic region.

The event is supplemental to the distribution of the 1999-2000
Philadelphia Yellow and White Pages, which features a revised Internet
Guide. The 8-page guide, bound inside the Yellow Pages, is a step-by-
step primer designed to help educate novice Internet users.

The Internet Learning Day initiative is offered to residents and small
businesses that may not have access to Internet training. "As a leader in
the community, Bell Atlantic strives to provide comprehensive and
accurate information for residents and businesses," said
Mary Jo Howe, vice president of marketing and customer care at Bell
Atlantic Directory Group. "The Internet Learning Day series and the
Internet Guide address our community's changing needs as we approach
the new millennium."

Saturday's Internet Learning Day event expected to attract some 150
participants is co-sponsored by CompUSA, WOGL-FM (Oldies 98) and a
number of community-based organizations, including The Free Library of
Philadelphia, The Greater Philadelphia Federation of Settlements and the
YMCA.

The advertiser-supported Internet Guide is a tabbed insert that contains
information on hardware and software requirements, a step-by-step
approach for connecting to the World Wide Web, tips on choosing an
Internet service provider, Frequently Asked Questions, and a list of top
regional and national Web sites.

Participants in the beginner sessions receive information on places they
can access the Internet for free and ways to acquire a personal computer
at a reduced cost. Attendees can also participate in a drawing for a
personal computer donated by Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages.

Bell Atlantic is the world's largest publisher of Yellow Pages shopping
directories. Its affiliate, Bell Atlantic Electronic Commerce Services, is
the creator of BigYellow®, a leading national online shopping service.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With 43 million telephone access lines and nearly
10 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are
premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services and
market leaders in wireless services. Bell Atlantic companies are also
among the world's largest investors in high-growth global
communications markets, with operations and investments in 23
countries.