8-K

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) Of The SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report:                      March 22, 1994

Exact name of registrant
as specified in its charter:         BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION

Commission File No.:                 1-8606

State of Incorporation:              Delaware

IRS Employer Identification No.:     23-2259884

Address of principal
executive offices:                   1717 Arch Street
                                     Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Zip Code                             19103

Registrant's telephone number,
including area code:                 (215) 963-6000

Former name or former address,
if changed since last report:        N/A

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Item 5.  Other Events.

     Attached as an exhibit hereto is a copy of a press release
issued by Bell Atlantic Corporation (the Company) dated March 22,
1994 announcing an increase in the Company's quarterly dividend
from $.67 to $.69 per share.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information
and Exhibits.

  (20)   Press Release dated March 22, 1994

     
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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on               
its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION


By:  /William O. Albertini/
    William O. Albertini
    Vice President and Chief 
    Financial Officer


Date: March 22, 1994



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Bell Atlantic Corporation
File No.  1-8606


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

The exhibit identified below is files as an exhibit hereto


Exhibit No.             Description             


  (20)                  Press Release dated
                         March 22, 1994

     

EX-20

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Contact:			Cynthia M. Ciangio
				(215) 963-6306

For Release:			Immediately
 				March 22, 1994



BELL ATLANTIC DECLARES DIVIDEND INCREASE


	PHILADELPHIA, March 22, 1994 -- The board of directors of Bell Atlantic
Corporation (NYSE:  BEL) today declared an increase in its quarterly dividend
from $.67 to $.69 per share on the company's outstanding common shares.  The 
company has increased its dividend for the tenth consecutive year.

	The dividend will be payable on May 2, 1994, to shareowners of record of
outstanding shares on April 11, 1994.  Bell Atlantic has approximately 436 
million shares of common stock outstanding and approximately one million 
shareowners of record.

	"This dividend increase reflects our growing confidence in Bell Atlantic's
future in the expanding markets for communications, information, and
entertainment,"  said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Raymond W. Smith.
"I believe our industry is entering a new era of growth.  Our key strategies,
which remain unchanged, will move us aggressively into areas which can
provide high incremental returns.  As the only regional Bell company currently
permitted to provide cable television service in its home territories, Bell
Atlantic is well positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.  As I told
the broadcast industry on Monday,  Bell Atlantic expects to be equipped to 
offer broadband services to a million households in our territory by the end
of next year.  We believe such growth opportunities, coupled with our current 
strong cash flow, improving revenues, and solid business fundamentals, set the
stage to provide attractive long-term returns to investors."
                                                                                
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	Bell Atlantic Corporation, based in Philadelphia, is the parent of companies
which provide a full array of local exchange telecommunications services in
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and
Washington, D.C.  The corporation also is in the forefront of developing a
variety of new products, including video, entertainment, and information
services.

	Bell Atlantic also is the parent of one of the nation's largest cellular
carriers and has an ownership position in cellular properties internationally.
In addition, Bell Atlantic owns an interest in Telecom Corporation of New
Zealand and is the parent of companies that provide financial services in the
U.S. and business systems services for customer-based information technology   
throughout the U.S. and internationally.                                       
                                                                               
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