Bell Atlantic is one of "America's 50 Best Companies for Minorities," according to Fortune magazine. The magazine's annual list will appear in its July 10 issue.

This is the third consecutive year Bell Atlantic has been named to the list.

Fortune cited Bell Atlantic's efforts to assist minority vendors by offering free e-commerce training and by setting up meetings with the company's prime suppliers to help minority firms win more subcontracts.

In 1999, the company spent more than $896 million with businesses owned by minorities, women, Vietnam era veterans and people with disabilities. Bell Atlantic ranked 34th on the Fortune list.

According to the magazine, "Fortune teamed with the Council on Economic Priorities, a nonprofit research organization in New York, to determine which companies are truly inclusive in hiring, promoting and retaining people of color."

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 44 million telephone access lines and more than 20 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.

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