
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Exhibit 11
                                                                          1 of 2


                   BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Computation of Per Common Share Earnings
                (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Three months ended June 30,       
                                                      ----------------------------                   
                                  
                                                          1996            1995          
                                                      ------------    ------------      
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>               
Net income.........................................   $      494.3    $      447.1      
                                                      ============    ============      
                                                                                        
Earnings Per Common Share                                                               
- -------------------------                                                               
Weighted average shares outstanding................    437,751,400     436,512,006      
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock                                       
 options and payment of performance share awards...      1,804,543       1,216,307      
                                                      ------------    ------------      
Total shares.......................................    439,555,943     437,728,313      
                                                      ============    ============      
                                                                                        
Net income.........................................   $       1.12    $       1.02      
                                                      ============    ============      
                                                                                        
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Common Share*                                                
- ----------------------------------------                                                
Weighted average shares outstanding................     437,751,400   436,512,006       
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock                                       
  options and payment of performance share awards..       1,909,055     1,365,721       
                                                       ------------  ------------       
Total shares.......................................     439,660,455   437,877,727       
                                                       ============  ============       
                                                                                        
Net income.........................................    $       1.12  $       1.02       
                                                       ============  ============       
 
</TABLE>

* Fully diluted earnings per share calculation is presented in accordance with
  Regulation S-K item 601(b)(11) although not required by footnote 2 to
  paragraph 14 of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15 because it results
  in dilution of less than 3%.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Exhibit 11
                                                                          2 of 2


                   BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    Computation of Per Common Share Earnings
                (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Six months ended June 30,       
                                                      ----------------------------  
                                                          1996            1995          
                                                      ------------    ------------      
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>
Net income.........................................   $      964.8    $      861.6
                                                      ============    ============  
 
Earnings Per Common Share
- -------------------------
Weighted average shares outstanding................    437,724,359     436,446,888
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock
 options and payment of performance share awards...      2,164,240       1,109,480
                                                      ------------    ------------      
Total shares.......................................    439,888,599     437,556,368
                                                      ============    ============
Net income.........................................   $       2.19    $       1.97
                                                      ============    ============
 
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Common Share*
- ----------------------------------------           
Weighted average shares outstanding................    437,724,359     436,446,888
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of stock
  options and payment of performance share awards..      2,216,496       1,198,521
                                                      ------------    ------------
Total shares.......................................    439,940,855     437,645,409
                                                      ============    ============
 
Net income.........................................   $       2.19    $       1.97
                                                      ============    ============
</TABLE>

*  Fully diluted earnings per share calculation is presented in accordance with
   Regulation S-K item 601(b)(11) although not required by footnote 2 to
   paragraph 14 of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15 because it results
   in dilution of less than 3%.
