RNS No 3212m
BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION
22nd December 1997

Contact:

James Crosson
212-395-2285
james.cross@ba.com

                          Bell Atlantic Plans to issue
                               Exchangeable Notes

NEW YORK - Bell Atlantic (NYSE:BEL) announced today that it plans to issue
approximately $2.6 billion in exchangeable notes for general corporate purposes.
The notes will have a medium-term maturity of five to seven years and will be
exchangeable into shares of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand (TCNZ), with the
exchange price established at a premium to the TCNZ share price at the time of
the offering.

The notes will be non-callable for a period of at least three years, and will
not be exchangeable by investors for an initial period of 18 months.  Upon
exchange by investors, Bell Atlantic will retain the option to settle in cash or
by delivery of shares.

Proceeds from the offering will be used to enhance Bell Atlantic's balance sheet
as the company pursues growth opportunities in its regional landline, global
wireless and international businesses.

Bell Atlantic owns 24.95 percent of TCNZ, or about 437.2 million ordinary
shares.  It is anticipated that the amount of debt issued will be supported by
these current shareholdings.

The timetable for the issue may be subject to market activities and approvals of
parties other than Bell Atlantic.  Bell Atlantic will coordinate its activities
with TCNZ management.

Bell Atlantic has not yet determined whether to register the notes under the
Securities Act of 1933.  The notes may not be offered or sold in the United
States without registration or an applicable exemption.

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 5.8 million wireless
customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced
wireline voice and data services, market leasders 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.

INTERNET USERS:  Bell Atlantic news releases, executive speeches, news media
contacts and other useful information are available at Bell Atlantic's News
Center on the World Wide Web (http://www/ba.com).  To receive news releases by
e-mail, visit the News Center and register for personalized automatic delivery
of Bell Atlantic news releases.


END

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