Bell Atlantic Corp.: The Philadelphia-based regional telephone...

Bell Atlantic Corp.: The Philadelphia-based regional telephone holding company said second-quarter profit rose 5% to $361 million over a year ago. Revenue rose to $2.88 billion, a 6% increase. Growth in business calling was cited as the reason for the increase. Bell Atlantic is the parent company of New Jersey Bell, Bell of Pennsylvania, Diamond State Telephone Co. in Delaware and the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Cos. serving Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington.