August 1, 1996

CONTACT: NYNEX Jamie DePeau 202-336-7825

NYNEX Reaction To FCC Interconnection Order

The following statement should be attributed to Thomas J. Tauke, Executive Vice President, NYNEX:

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 1996--"NYNEX is pleased that the Federal Communications Commission has issued its interconnection order on schedule. We are very anxious to move this entire process along so we -- and our customers -- can begin to realize the benefits promised in the Telecom Act.

"The impact of today's order on NYNEX boils down to two issues: 1) what effect does this order have on NYNEX's drive to enter long distance?; and 2) what is the near-term financial impact?

"While the FCC has been working on this rulemaking, NYNEX has been readying itself for entry into the long distance market. Today's decision clears another hurdle in our race to bring NYNEX customers more and better telecommunications services by the end of the year.

"Opening the local telephone market is not new to us. NYNEX is a pioneer in opening local markets to competition. We've been doing it for years in the Northeast. Today's FCC order now provides some degree of certainty to the process. It verifies the actions NYNEX has already been taking to facilitate competition and gain entry into long distance in the Northeast.

"We anticipate this order will have little near-term financial impact on NYNEX. The order's treatment of access charges demonstrates that the FCC does not want to create a rate shock for customers nor does it want to disrupt the financial stability of the local telecommunications industry. We expect that the FCC will continue to follow these principles in its next two very important rulemakings -- access charge reform and universal service."