February 1, 1996

NYNEX CONTACT: Media Relations, (212) 395-0500

MCET And Nynex To Bring Affordable High Technology To Massachusetts Classrooms And Libraries

WORCESTER, MA -- Exchanging ideas and information over the Internet and through desktop video conferencing could be a normal daily activity sooner rather than later in hundreds of Massachusetts classrooms, public libraries, and education centers thanks to an innovative agreement.

The Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications (MCET) and NYNEX have announced an agreement to bring ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) services to hundreds of schools, colleges, and libraries at a fixed monthly rate. The initiative will give students K-12 and beyond the advantages of education using the latest interactive technologies. These new computer-based resources are the same ones that future employers will expect them to be familiar with when they enter the workforce.

"Communication links, personal computers, and videoconferences will soon be as common in the classroom as textbooks, blackboards, and chalk," said William McIntyre, NYNEX vice president, Massachusetts. "We know that educators are under enormous budget pressures, and that they need predictable costs so they can budget for the year. This agreement will help us deliver leading-edge services with just that predictability," he said.

"MCET is excited to be sponsoring and collaborating with NYNEX on this initiative," said Dr. John G. Flores, executive director of MCET. "We are pleased that we have been able to negotiate a predictable rate for ISDN availability so that the education community shares in the tremendous benefits of high technology services."

A quasi-public agency, MCET provides access to the most advanced technologies to improve the quality of education in grades K-12, higher education, and government. This agreement allows MCET to further support the operation of the Mass Ed OnLine LearnNet (MEOL), the statewide computer network for educators. MCET also produces educational programming broadcast daily on the Mass LearnPike satellite network to 28 states nationwide.

NYNEX is a global communications and media company that provides a full range of services in the northeastern United States and high-growth markets around the world, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Gibraltar, Greece, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The Corporation is a leader in the telecommunications, wireless communications, cable television, directory publishing and entertainment and information services.

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