Bell Atlantic Network Services (New York City) contracted Ascend Communications Inc. (Alameda, CA) to provide Asynchronous Transfer Mode and frame relay switches for Bell Atlantic`s high-speed data network. Under the multiyear agreement, Ascend will provide its B-STDX 9000 multiservice frame-relay wide area network switches, CBX 500 ATM multiservice switches, and GX 550 ATM "Smart" Core switches and Navis network management.