June 27, 1996

CONTACT: Bob Varettoni, 212-395-0500
Jack Hoey, 617-743-4760

NYNEX Reaches New Agreements With MFS To Interconnect Telephone Networks in New York, Massachusetts

NYNEX announced today that it has signed new agreements with MFS Communications Company, Inc., designed to meet the 14-point checklist detailed in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, one of the requirements for NYNEX's entry into the long-distance market in New York and Massachusetts.

These interconnection agreements expand on similar arrangements NYNEX reached with MFS in New York and Massachusetts last year to connect the two companies' telephone networks, furthering competition in local markets. NYNEX expects today's agreements to serve as templates for the negotiation of other agreements throughout its service area, which also includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and a small portion of Connecticut.

"This should accelerate the development of other interconnection agreements and bring NYNEX one step closer to entrance into the multi-billion-dollar long-distance market in the Northeast," said Jack Goldberg, NYNEX Vice President - Wholesale Markets. "These agreements with MFS further solidify NYNEX's position as a supplier of wholesale services to new entrants in the local exchange market."

"In New York, we're building further upon the landmark agreement NYNEX signed with MFS nearly 18 months ago," said William R. Allan, Vice President - Regulatory Affairs for NYNEX in New York.

William J. McIntyre, NYNEX Vice President for Massachusetts, said, "By further opening up the Massachusetts market to competition, this comprehensive agreement clearly demonstrates that NYNEX is serious about entering new lines of business that will mean growth for our company in our state." Section 271 of the Telecommunications Act includes a 14-point checklist. Before NYNEX can provide long-distance service originating in a state in its service territory, NYNEX must meet the checklist in that state. The interconnection agreement with MFS seeks to comply with all the points in this checklist by providing a blueprint for how the two competitors will connect their networks.

Among issues addressed are resale of local service; access to unbundled network elements; reciprocal per-minute charges for the completion of local calls originated on each network; number portability; and the availability of enhanced calling features, such as Caller ID, over either company's network.