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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 29, 1996
BELL ATLANTIC RESPONSE TO AT&T EFFORT
TO ENTER LOCAL PHONE MARKETS
AT&T announced today that it filed applications to
provide local
telephone service in four Bell Atlantic states: Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia. The following statement should
be attributed to James G. Cullen, vice chairman - Bell Atlantic
Corp.:
Today's news comes as no surprise - it's a natural result of the
recently enacted telecommunications reform legislation.
AT&T faces a daunting challenge ahead. The company will be going
after a loyal group of customers largely satisfied with the quality of
their local Bell Atlantic service.
We wonder, however, whether AT&T is speaking with its 'true voice.'
Just this week, AT&T's chairman called on the long distance giants to
band together once again and prepare for what he called "contentious
battles" at the FCC over the rules that will allow the Bell
companies
into long distance. Consumers should ask themselves whether AT&T
actually is trying to protect its oligopoly with MCI and Sprint, or
whether it's really serious about offering customers new choices. We
stand ready to work with the FCC to make real choice a reality.
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.
####
for more information, contact:
- Shannon Fioravanti, 703-974-5455
shannon.l.fioravanti@bell-atl.com
In Delaware: Ells Edwards, 302-576-5340
ellsworth.edwards@bell-atl.com
In Pennsylvania:
Sharon Shaffer, 215-963-6843
sharon.b.shaffer@bell-atl.com
Shirley Risoldi, 412-633-3423
shirley.a.risoldi@bell-atl.com
In Virginia: Paul Miller, 804-772-1460
miller@ba.com
In West Virginia: Harry Mitchell, 304-344-7562
harry.j.mitchell@bell-atl.com