Bell Atlantic Cuts Rates

Bell Atlantic Corp., the first large local phone company to enter the U.S. long-distance market, said that effective last Friday it cut direct-dial rates to the 33 countries its customers most often call. The No. 2 U.S. local phone company, based in New York, is offering reduced rates through its International Savings Plan for direct-dialed long-distance calls. The rates apply to countries including Britain, France and Japan. Bell Atlantic said it created the plan to make sure its customers were offered competitive rates for overseas calls. The service can be added to the company’s other long-distance plans for $3 a month. New customers will get 30 minutes of free domestic or international service each month for the first three months. Existing long-distance customers who sign up for the plan won’t be charged a fee for the first nine months of service. Bell Atlantic shares fell 56 cents to close at $53.19 on the New York Stock Exchange.