SBC Communications Launches Web Tool for Phone Service Connects; Feature Helps College Students Plan Last-Minute, Back-to-School Moves.

SAN ANTONIO -- Labor Day marks the traditional end of moving season and the beginning of the school year-making it one of the busiest times of the year for shopping for communications services.

For those looking for a simple, fast way to set up new phone service, help is just a click away: SBC Communications has launched an online tool to help speed up service orders for new customers in its SBC Pacific Bell and SBC Ameritech regions. The service also will be available to SBC Southwestern Bell customers the first week of September. Accessible 24 hours a day, the new online tool provides a quick and convenient option for customers who need to sign up for new phone service as they move to the states these regions serve -- ideal for college students heading back to school or those who prefer managing their relocation arrangements online.

Online new connect helps new customers set up phone service, choose features such as Caller ID, voice mail and Privacy Manager, or communications packages and select their preferred phone number online from a list of five choices (currently available only in SBC Pacific Bell), all via the SBC Pacific Bell or SBC Ameritech websites. Within a few days after receiving the order, new customers receive an email confirmation of their order and a confirmed new phone number. In the near future, customers also will be able to sign up for Cingular Wireless service, DSL Internet access service and SBC Long Distance, where available.

"SBC Communications' online new connect tool is particularly helpful for college students who've waited until the last minute to plan their Labor Day weekend moves, and are still scrambling to get everything done before they head back to school," said Denice Hasty, assistant vice president of emerging channels for SBC Communications. "Having the option of setting up phone service and taking care of other move-related tasks online is one way to ease the stress associated with the start of the fall semester, and the transition from fun and sun to tests and papers."

More than half of the 43 million moves in the United States this year will take place by September 2, and for consumers who choose Labor Day weekend for moving, the next two weeks could pack a lot of stress. Along with the hectic organizing and packing, making arrangements for new telephone service prior to a move is vital to ensure a smooth transition to a new location. To help consumers better manage a move, SBC offers the following tips to make the process easier:

    -- Plan your Move Online: Consumers can visit www.moving.org for       information and tips including suggestions on how to select a mover       and a handy moving checklist. New SBC Pacific Bell and SBC       Ameritech customers can set up phone service, order features and       communications packages online at their convenience -- 24 hours a       day -- by visiting the company website at www.sbc-pacbell.com, or       www.sbc-ameritech.com.    -- Remain Reachable.  To minimize worries about how friends and family       can get in touch during the moving period, consider using       communications services such as a wireless phone, voice mail       service, call forwarding and other tools that can help you receive       important calls and messages while in transition. A long distance       calling card can help ensure a low rate on calls from the road.       Also be sure to coordinate a window of time where phone service       works at both your new and old locations.    -- Ensure Connections Will be Ready. When setting up communications       services in a new location, inquire if you can keep your same phone       number. Also ask communications providers if you can re-direct       calls from your old number to a new one for a period of time       through a pre-recorded message -- known by SBC as Intercept Number       Referral Service -- that alerts callers that the number they called       is disconnected and provides the new phone number. Also, check       with your Internet service provider to see if you can keep existing       e-mail addresses, and if you have dial-up service, if you can       continue to use the same dial-in number.   --  Consider Your Communications Options. Prior to the move, identify       if your new home has an existing satellite connection, is DSL-ready,       and already has multiple working phone jacks. Consider service       packages that can deliver substantial savings through a single point       of contact. Be sure to ask about new promotions or packages of       services which may have become recently available.   --  Rethink Your Communications Needs. Before moving, evaluate your       new communications needs. You may save time and resources by       thinking through what services you want and ordering them at one       time. For example, consider whether you work at home, or use the       computer for reaching out to family and friends, as guides for       ordering and setting up communications services. If you want an       Internet connection, be sure to ask if your new neighborhood has       DSL Internet service. 

For more information about SBC products and services that can help during a move or services that are available in your new area, please visit the SBC Pacific Bell website at http://www.sbc-pacbell.com/, http://www.sbc-ameritech.com/ or call 1-800-310-BELL (2355) for SBC Pacific Bell, or 1-800-244-4444 for SBC Ameritech. SBC Pacific Bell provides service in California. SBC Ameritech provides service in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio (online new connect capability not yet available in Ohio). Soon, new SBC Southwestern Bell customers also will be able to sign up for service online by visiting http://www.sbcswbell.com/.

SBC Communications Inc. (http://www.sbc.com/) is one of the world's leading data, voice and Internet services providers. Through its world-class network and its subsidiaries' trusted brands -- SBC Southwestern Bell, SBC Ameritech, SBC Pacific Bell, SBC Nevada Bell, SBC SNET and Sterling Commerce -- SBC companies provide a full range of voice, data, networking and e-business services, as well as directory advertising and publishing. A Fortune 27 company, America's leading provider of high-speed DSL Internet Access services, and one of the nation's leading Internet Service Providers, SBC companies currently serve nearly 60 million access lines nationwide. In addition, SBC owns 60 percent of America's second largest wireless company -- Cingular Wireless -- which serves more than 21 million wireless customers. Internationally, SBC has telecommunications investments in 28 countries.

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CONTACT: Debra Dekelbaum, +1-214-665-1343, for SBC Communications Inc.

Web site: http://www.sbc.com/