SBC Communications' Technician of the Future Program Wins Global Recognition for Innovation From CIO Magazine.

Business Editors

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 2001

SBC Communications Inc.'s (NYSE:SBC) Technician of the Future program has been recognized by CIO magazine as one of the world's most innovative business initiatives for its efforts to equip technicians with state-of-the-art technology and providing access to increased training and resources.

For the second consecutive year, SBC is winner of the prestigious CIO-100 award from IDG's CIO magazine. The CIO-100 recognizes organizations around the world that excel in positive business performance through innovative practices and products.

The multi-million dollar Technician of the Future program is transforming virtually every aspect of installation and repair, allowing SBC to provide improved customer service.

"Technician of the Future was designed with customers in mind," said Stan Sigman, group president and chief operating officer for SBC. "This program equips our technicians with superior technology tools, and customers will enjoy the benefits of increased productivity and service quality."

Technician of the Future equips network technicians throughout SBC with Intelligent Field Devices (IFDs) - wireless laptops that integrate detailed and localized software-based cable maps, diagnostics/line testing, access to service call information and detailed product information. The IFDs allow technicians to run 15 tests in 15 seconds, thus replacing at least six pieces of equipment. With the IFDs, technicians have access to electronic reference materials and SBC's new craft access system, which simplifies administrative work by allowing technicians to complete routine tasks using fewer screens in one system and incorporating touchscreen functionality.

"In order to survive in the competitive business world, companies rely on innovative ideas and development of those ideas into sound business processes," says Abbie Lundberg, editor in chief, CIO magazine. "Honorees of this year's CIO-100 have done just that and are being recognized for their ingenuity and success."

To provide a vision of ever-changing business trends, the focus of the CIO-100 changes each year. This year CIO honors 100 companies that demonstrate innovation to improve products, services and relationships with partners and clients. Complete coverage of the 2001 CIO-100 is featured in the August 15 issue of CIO magazine and at www.cio.com.

In last year's CIO-100, SBC was recognized for online tools and deployment of high speed DSL. Through its $6 billion investment in Project Pronto, SBC is creating a broadband network unrivaled in terms of customers reached and access speeds offered. The initiative will make DSL Internet service available to 77 million people - more than 80 percent of SBC's customers - and push fiber connections to nearly all commercial buildings in SBC's regions.

SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com) is a global communications leader. Through its subsidiaries' trusted brands - Southwestern Bell, Ameritech, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell, SNET and Sterling Commerce - and world-class network, SBC and its affiliated companies provide a full range of voice, data, networking and e-business services, including local and long-distance voice, high-speed Internet access and data transport, voice and data network integration, software and process integration, Web site and application hosting, e-marketplace development, paging and messaging, as well as cable and satellite television, and directory advertising and publishing. In the United States, the company currently has 61.3 million access lines and is undertaking a national expansion program under SBC Telecom that will bring SBC service to new U.S. markets. SBC has a 60 percent equity interest in Cingular Wireless, its joint venture with BellSouth, which serves more than 20 million wireless customers. Internationally, SBC has telecommunications investments in 28 countries and has annual revenues that rank it among the largest Fortune 500 companies.

About CIO Magazine:

CIO magazine (launched in 1987) is published by CXO Media Inc. CXO Media serves CIOs, CEOs, CFOs, COOs and other corporate officers who use technology to thrive and prosper in this new era of business. The company strives to enhance partnerships between C-level executives, as well as create opportunities for information technology (IT) and consumer marketers to reach them. In addition to publishing CIO, CXO Media produces www.cio.com, The CIO Insider, Darwin magazine and www.darwinmagazine.com, as well as CIO and Darwin Executive Programs, a series of conferences that provide educational and networking opportunities for corporate and government leaders.

CXO Media Inc. is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading IT media, research and exposition company. IDG publishes more than 300 computer magazines and newspapers and 4,000 book titles and offers online users the largest network of technology-specific sites around the world through IDG.net (www.idg.net), which comprises more than 270 targeted websites in 70 countries. IDG is also a leading producer of 168 computer-related expositions worldwide and provides IT market analysis through 50 offices in 43 countries worldwide. Company information is available at www.idg.com.

SOURCE: SBC Communications Inc.