Bell Atlantic-New Jersey SoundMinutes Customers To Enjoy Free Weekend Regional Toll Calls

NEWARK, NJ — Sundays are on us. That's right, free. And soon, Saturdays will be too. Starting on June 1, New Jersey Bell Atlantic SoundMinutes subscribers can make free, unlimited regional toll calls on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of December, 1997.

Beginning on May 5, New Jersey residents will have the option of designating (or "presubscribing") their regional toll service provider. Regional toll calls are calls outside a customer's local calling area, but generally are within a few dozen miles from the customer's home. Examples of regional toll calls are those from Wildwood to Atlantic City, Toms River to Freehold, Morristown to Newark and Princeton to Trenton. New Jersey has three regional toll regions.

"Bell Atlantic recognizes that customers have various lifestyles and their calling patterns and budgets are very different," said Len Lauer, president and CEO of Bell Atlantic-New Jersey. "That's why we offer a choice of plans and our knowledgeable consultants can help customers select the best plan for them."

SoundMinutesSM

Consumers who make fewer regional toll calls may find that SoundMinutes is right for them. SoundMinutes is a flat per-minute rate calling plan that allows residential customers to make regional toll calls for 10 cents per minute evenings (5 p.m. - 8 a.m.) and weekends and 12 cents per minute weekdays (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Sundays are currently offered free. Free Saturdays and Sundays will be part of the plan from June 1 through December 28. Additionally, SoundMinutes customers automatically save 20 percent when their monthly regional toll bill totals $20 or more through their automatic enrollment in Bell Atlantic's 20/20 Savings Plan.

SoundDialingSM

For residential customers who make a high volume of regional toll calls, SoundDialing is a convenient, flat per month rate choice which allows a customer to make all their regional toll calls for a flat monthly fee. The monthly SoundDialing rate will be set for each customer based on that customer's prior regional toll usage. Basic price tiers are $10, $15, $20 and $27.50. Rates for higher volume regional toll customers will be individually determined. Monthly prices are guaranteed as long as the customer does not exceed an average of $500 in monthly regional toll calling. SoundDialing is presently offered in New Jersey as a promotional plan until October 20, 1997.

"Our regional toll calling plans offer New Jersey residents a range of choices to satisfy their calling and budget needs. Also, with our long-standing, working knowledge of the New Jersey marketplace, we have a distinct advantage over our competitors to offer even more lifestyle-oriented choices in the future," added Lauer.

Residential customers can find out more information about SoundMinutes or SoundDialing by calling Bell Atlantic at 1-888-FLAT-TOLL (1-888-352-8865). There is no enrollment fee for either plan.

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.

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