Bell Atlantic's New 'Online Store' Open 24 Hours a Day FYI
NEW YORK, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers now can shop for Bell Atlantic phone services 24 hours a day, seven days a week over the Internet. By visiting the company's Web site at www.bellatlantic.com/residential, residential customers can order new phone service, an additional line or many Bell Atlantic products and services.
"Online ordering gives our customers a new choice that provides a convenient and easy way to do business with us,'' said Amy McIntosh, vice president -- consumer marketing. "Day or night, whenever they're on a computer, customers can place an order for phone service and also check their phone bills. With Internet traffic doubling every 100 days, we expect electronic commerce to play an increasingly important role in how we serve our customers.''
Customers who log on to Bell Atlantic's Web site can look over information about optional phone services, such as Caller ID or home voice mail, and check to see what special offers are available in their area. When they place an order, they will receive an email confirmation.
Residential customers also can make a reservation for Bell Atlantic Infospeed DSL (digital subscriber line) service, a high-speed Internet connection introduced this month. Customers can check to see if the service is available in their area, if their line is DSL-capable and which DSL speeds are available on their line.
The Bell Atlantic Web site also enables residential customers to view their current phone bill and bills for the previous two months. That capability is available now to customers in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. Bill viewing will be available throughout the Bell Atlantic service area by the end of the year.
Customers who sign up for the bill viewing option will receive an email message each month telling them when their bill is available online. The bill they view online will provide the same information shown on the bill that comes by mail, which customers will continue to receive.
Based upon customer response to online ordering, Bell Atlantic may add other electronic features to the Web site in the future. Security Measures
To use the online ordering capability or to look at their phone bill, customers must first register at the site by providing their 10-digit telephone number and the customer code shown on their phone bill. They also will create a personal password known only to them.
The registration process ensures that customers are the only ones who can access their own account or change their phone services.
"All the information customers provide is secure and will be used only by Bell Atlantic to create an account,'' said McIntosh. "After they register on their first visit, customers must use their private password each time they log on the site.''
Customers should use a Netscape 3.0 or higher browser, or an Internet Explorer 3.0 or higher browser with JavaScript.
Bell Atlantic will continue to provide personalized customer service through its local business offices. Customers who need to disconnect their service, move their phone services to another location or discuss billing issues should call their local Bell Atlantic business office. And, customer representatives will continue to take orders for service, answer questions and provide other customer care.
Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and more than seven 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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