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RNS Number:3132A
Bell Atlantic Corp
4 November 1999

                                               Contact:
                                               John Killian     212-395-1152
                                               Dominic Di Bucci 212-395-1924


                        Bell Atlantic Executives Announce Plans
                                 To Leave the Company

New York - With the announcement of the top officers for the merged Bell
Atlantic/GTE, three current members of Bell Atlantic's Office of the Chairman --
President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Cullen, Executive Vice President --
Human Resources and Labor Relations, Don Sacco, and Executive Vice President -
External Affairs and Corporate Communications Toby Webb -- have announced their
plans to leave the company at the close of the Bell Atlantic - GTE merger.  The
two companies anticipate closing their merger in the first quarter of 2000.

Jim Cullen currently shares oversight of all of the company's business
operations, the merger process with GTE, and other corporate development
initiatives.  He is also a member of the company's board of directors.  Cullen
said he believed he would need to make a personal commitment of at least three
years to justify remaining in a top-level position at the new company.  After a
career of more than 35 years with the Bell Atlantic companies, "it seemed to be
a natural opportunity for me to accelerate my personal timetable for retirement
by a year or so," he said.

"I am certain that the future of our company is in excellent hands as we look to
the challenges of 2000 and beyond.  Until the merger is closed, my goal will be
to maintain the momentum of our current business while supporting in every way I
can the transition to the new Bell Atlantic/GTE," Cullen said.

Don Sacco is currently responsible for human resource policies affecting Bell
Atlantic's 140,000 employees, as well as retirees.  He also oversees contract
negotiations and other matters related to the unions represented within Bell
Atlantic.  "I've had 35 rewarding and exciting years with Bell Atlantic and I am
very proud of being part of the team that has made our company a leader in the
telecommunications industry," Sacco said.  "While my family and I are looking
forward to the pleasures and rewards of retirement, I will truly miss all of the
wonderful people I've had the privilege of knowing in this great business."

Toby Webb is currently responsible for all regional, national and international
government affairs; public policy initiatives; and legislative and regulatory
matters.  He also oversees communications with both the media and Bell
Atlantic's 140,000 employees, as well as community and charitable activities. 
He also serves on the Bell Atlantic Board of Directors.

Webb, who was executive vice president, General Counsel and Secretary of NYNEX
prior to the Bell Atlantic merger, said, "I am proud to have honored a personal
commitment to step out of the Legal Department to help create the new Bell
Atlantic.  Now, I think it's time for me to seek out opportunities that enable
me to return to my background in the law."

Webb will remain with Bell Atlantic through the current merger at the request of
Chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg.

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.

END

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