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                                                                      EXHIBIT 99


                                  [OPTEL LOGO]

              OPTEL, INC. EXTENDS EXCHANGE OFFER FOR SENIOR NOTES

Dallas, Texas, November 13, 1998, -- OpTel, Inc. announced today that the offer 
to exchange its 11.5% senior Notes due 2008, Series B, for any and all 
outstanding 11.5% Senior Notes due 2008 has been extended and will expire at 
5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on November 18, 1998. As of November 13, 1998
approximately $135,500,000 principal amount of Senior Notes has been tendered 
pursuant to the exchange offer out of $200,000,000 principal amount of Senior 
Notes outstanding.

OpTel is a leading network based provider of integrated communications 
services, including local and long distance telephone and cable television 
services, to residents of multiple dwelling units in the United States. The 
Company currently provides cable television and telecommunications services in 
several metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, 
Phoenix, Denver, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Chicago, Indianapolis, 
Atlanta, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, and Orlando. OpTel is majority owned by 
Le Groupe Videotron Ltee ("GVL"), owner of the second largest cable television 
operator in Canada.

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For further information, please contact:


Andy Jent
Treasurer
214-879-8257