Bell Atlantic Selects Alcatel's Voice and Data Access Solutions.

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 1999--Bell Atlantic has finalized a $800 million, five-year agreement with Alcatel (NYSE:ALA) for voice and data access networking equipment, making Alcatel the primary ADSL vendor for Bell Atlantic.

Alcatel, the worldwide ADSL market leader, will supply more than 50 percent of Bell Atlantic's ADSL equipment by integrating its Alcatel 1000 ADSL ATM Subscriber Access Multiplexer (ASAM)(TM) and Litespan(TM) Next Generation Digital Loop Carrier (NGDLC) solutions.

Alcatel's combination of its ASAM and Litespan ADSL products provides a comprehensive, integrated access solution. Bell Atlantic is a long-time customer of Alcatel's Litespan solution. Adding ADSL support in NGDLC remote terminals enables Bell Atlantic to reach prospective subscribers who were not previously candidates for ADSL service. This will position Bell Atlantic to migrate from narrowband to broadband services through the use of plug-in channel unit cards in existing Litespan shelves, using remote ASAMs, or deploying Mini-Rams. Bell Atlantic can also use Litespan to deliver other revenue-generating NGDLC services.

Bell Atlantic can serve customers who want to gain the full advantages of the Internet by using Alcatel's ADSL technology. Always on and fast, ADSL provides easy and quick links to the Internet when users simply click on a mouse. Working on an existing copper telephone line, Alcatel's ADSL product's transmission is 200 times faster than traditional analog modems. ADSL's speeds range up to 8 megabits per second (Mbps).

About Bell Atlantic (NYSE:BEL)

Bell Atlantic -- formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX -- is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and 6.7 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 22 countries.

About Alcatel (NYSE:ALA)

Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data communications solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 120,000 employees and sales of EURO 21.3 billion ($25.0 billion), Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel at http://www.alcatel.com or the US Web site at www.usa.alcatel.com. Contact for Alcatel Investor Relations, (US) Michael Haase, 972/519-6855, [e-mail].