SBC Communications Announces New On-the-Go Wireless Remote Access Solution for Mobile Workers; Service Package Erases Road Warrior Productivity Gap by Allowing SBC VPN Users To Switch Between Office Networks and High-Speed Wireless Connections.

SAN ANTONIO -- Continuing its drive to provide today's increasingly mobile and online workforce with "anywhere, anytime access" to corporate network applications, SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) today announced a new package of integrated wireless remote access options for its Virtual Private Network (VPN) portfolio that together provides virtually ubiquitous coverage across the country.

The new package, dubbed "VPN RoadWarrior," helps to eliminate one of the most common and frustrating challenges faced by traveling workers: the need to access business network applications and information as if they were in the office. The SBC package solves this problem by combining its SBC PremierSERV(SM) VPN secure remote access solutions with SBC FreedomLink(SM) Wi-Fi and Cingular Wireless EDGE nationwide, high-speed wireless data services. The combination enables users to switch between an office network and wireless connection technologies to stay connected at maximum available access speed. Service for selected BlackBerry(TM) integrated voice and data devices can also be added to the package.

"Since the advent of the Internet and e-mail, employees have faced significant challenges in remaining productive and connected while on the road," said Mark Fishler, vice president, SBC product management. "Services like Wi-Fi and EDGE are a huge step in eliminating those challenges by enabling wireless broadband access, but, by themselves, they don't allow direct access to corporate networks. By combining our VPN service with these broadband technologies, we're enabling a true virtual office for business travelers, allowing them to work remotely and stay in touch across networks, devices, and locations."

SBC PremierSERV VPN services provide users with secure remote access to their corporate networks using any connection, with functionality matching the access an employee experiences in the office. The VPN RoadWarrior package allows users to establish VPN connections via the FreedomLink network, which is one of the nation's largest Wi-Fi networks. When an employee is not within range of a FreedomLink hot spot, users can switch to the Cingular EDGE service, which offers connections with speeds of up to 135 kilobits per second (Kbps) throughout the vast majority of Cingular's nationwide footprint.

These connectivity options are brought together on a user's laptop computer with FreedomLink Connection Software. The software client detects available wireless data connections at a given time and location, and allows users to switch between office connections, FreedomLink and Cingular EDGE service to maximize speed. The software client includes an SBC VPN access button and a hot spot location finder that enables users to quickly identify options for high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity. The VPN RoadWarrior package is available nationwide for customers purchasing an IP-VPN or network-based VPN (NVPN) solution that includes remote access. The package includes:

--SBC FreedomLink WiFi: Unlimited high speed, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity at more than 7,000 locations, including select McDonald's restaurants, Barnes & Noble bookstores, The UPS Store(R) and Mail Boxes Etc.(R), coffee shops, airports, hotels, convention centers, and restaurants nationwide. At FreedomLink hot spots, subscribers can use their WiFi-enabled laptop computer to wirelessly connect to the Internet and corporate networks at speeds up to 50 to 100 times faster than a dial-up connection.

--Cingular EDGE: Unlimited wireless access to corporate e-mail and applications, as well as the Internet, via their laptop computers. It uses EDGE wireless PC modem cards that enable the laptop user to send and receive data at up to 135 Kbps. Cingular's EDGE service gives customers access to the fastest national wireless data network in the United States. EDGE is available in 13,000 cities and towns and along nearly 40,000 miles of interstate highways, making the technology ideal for highly mobile users that require access while on the move, or from multiple locations.

Customers have the option (for an additional fee) to add service for the BlackBerry 7290(TM) integrated voice and data handheld device - providing a new option for business to consolidate the billing for all wireless remote access services. The BlackBerry 7290 handheld provides integrated wireless e-mail, Web browser and phone service, including data security features and time management tools, such as e-mail synchronization. The quad-band device not only can be used in the U.S., but abroad through Cingular roaming agreements in more than 160 countries for voice service and nearly 75 countries for data service.

SBC VPN RoadWarrior is one example of how business customers are already enjoying the benefits of the deep wireless spectrum offered by the merged Cingular and former AT&T Wireless networks. SBC business customers using VPN RoadWarrior will soon gain access to even higher-speed wireless broadband on the cellular network as Cingular begins the roll-out of next-generation UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology in major U.S. cities.

To meet the needs of customers demanding speed and coverage, Cingular combines EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA services to ensure that customers have access to both the fastest national wireless data network (EDGE) and the next-generation of fast wireless services (UMTS/HSDPA). While traveling abroad, a customer can access either EDGE or GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) which ensures that they have access to the broadest available wireless data service in the world today (GPRS/EDGE is available in over 75 countries). The combination of HSDPA/EDGE in North America is superior in speed and coverage to alternate technologies.

SBC companies offer a variety of network-hosted and customer equipment-based IP-VPN solutions. For many businesses, SBC NVPN provides a highly cost-effective and versatile networking option that utilizes the SBC IP backbone network for transporting data. The service is ideal as a primary network foundation as well as a means to connect branch offices and remote workers. SBC NVPN delivers the additional benefit of a hosted platform - service intelligence is delivered via the SBC network, rather than equipment at the customer's location. The service eliminates the need for extensive up-front capital investments and continual equipment upgrades, and allows businesses to take advantage of SBC economies of scale.

The SBC NVPN service uses MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) functionality to enable hosted VPN connections to work seamlessly with existing data network connections, such as optical services, Ethernet, private line, Frame Relay, ATM or premises equipment-based VPNs, including those connected via DSL. With traffic carried over the private SBC IP backbone network rather than the public Internet, customers can take advantage of the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of VPN connections, while also realizing the high levels of security and service reliability most often associated with traditional point-to-point network technologies.

SBC Communications Inc. is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves 50.4 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation's leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.

FreedomLink(SM) public wireless high-speed Internet access and SBC PremierSERV NVPN are provided by SBC Internet Services. SBC, the SBC logo, FreedomLink, the FreedomLink logo, and other product names are trademarks or service names of SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P. or its affiliates. All other trademarks and/or service marks are the property of their respective owners. (C) 2005 SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P. All rights reserved.