CINGULAR LAUNCHES 3G WIRELESS.

Cingular Wireless has issued a comprehensive request for proposal (RFP) to telecommunications equipment vendors to develop and deliver the infrastructure for operating UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network technology.

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is based on GSM/GPRS/EDGE technology that supports data rates up to 384 Kbps. Cingular is also planning to deploy an enhanced version of UMTS called High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), which will further increase network capacity and offer speeds with peak data rates up to 14.4Mbps. This 3G technology will allow Cingular to deliver enhanced services for business customers, including high-speed Internet access and wireless audio/video, along with a host of consumer services such as high-resolution digital images, full-motion video, and advanced multi-player gaming.

Cingular envisions numerous economic benefits to be gained by moving forward decisively with UMTS technology. Specifically, UMTS will:

* Give customers more choices and make for a more competitive environment for wireless broadband services

* Provide new opportunities for wireless developers to bring new applications to market more quickly

* Produce new high-skilled jobs and give vendors incentives to create these jobs in America.

A key advantage in deploying UMTS is the technology's compatibility with Cingular and AT&T Wireless' existing GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. Earlier this year, Cingular agreed to acquire AT&T Wireless. The deal is awaiting approvals from the FCC and Department of Justice. Once the companies are integrated, Cingular will operate the largest nationwide high-speed data network.

The combined Cingular/AT&T Wireless network footprint and increased spectrum will also make it possible to roll out high-speed data services for the first time in many parts of rural America. Cingular, which pioneered the development of GSM at both 850 and 1900 MHz, intends to make the high-speed network available to not only its regional and rural roaming partners but also facilitate the ability for regional and rural carriers to deploy UMTS services on their networks as well.

In addition to broad domestic coverage, Cingular customers will also have one of the largest international roaming options for both voice and data, since UMTS is the natural evolution to 3G for GSM, the global standard used by more than 70 percent of the world's wireless customers.

About Cingular Wireless

Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications (NYSE:SBC) and BellSouth (NYSE:BLS), serves more than 25 million voice and data customers across the United States. A provider of mobile voice and data communications, Cingular is the only U.S. wireless carrier to offer Rollover, the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Cingular has launched the world's first commercial deployment of wireless services using Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology. Cingular provides cellular/PCS service in 43 of the top 50 markets nationwide, and provides corporate e-mail and other advanced data services through its GPRS, EDGE and Mobitex packet data networks.

Cingular Wireless can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.cingular.com/.

For more information, call 404/236-6153.