GTE introducing long-distance service in California, its largest market; customers in 17 states can choose GTE to provide local and long-distance phone service

Business Wire, July 17, 1996

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 1996--Starting tomorrow, consumers in California can choose GTE to provide all their long-distance service, as allowed under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the company announced. The new offering, marketed under the name GTE Easy Savings Plan,sm enables GTE's customers to buy long-distance and international long-distance services from GTE. "The new law allows companies like GTE to deliver expanded services to customers," said Rob McCoy, President of GTE Long Distance. "At GTE, we promised we would be quick to market once the telecommunications bill became law. Today, we are making good on that promise.

"Customers in states where we offer GTE Long Distance service are signing up for it because we offer them what they want: saving, simplicity, a single bill, and just as important -- quality and reliable service they can count on," he noted.

The company also said that it will accommodate any customer outside its service area who requests GTE's long-distance service. California is GTE's largest market; the company provides local and regional telephone service to more that 4 million customers there.

Availability in Other States

GTE's long-distance service is currently available in 16 other states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. The company said its offering has been well-received by customers in those states. GTE plans to offer long-distance service by the year-end in all 28 states where it currently offers local telephone service.

One of the largest publicly held telecommunications companies in the world. GTE is also the largest U.S. based local telephone company and a leading cellular-service provider in the United States -- with wireline and wireless operations that forma market area covering about one-third of the U.S. population.

Additional information about GTE can be found on the INTERNET at http://www.gte.com

CONTACT: Investor Relations, 203/965-2789