SBC forms alliances with Cingular, Yahoo!

SBC Communications Inc. has announced partnerships with Cingular Wireless and Yahoo!

SBC's alliance with Cingular Wireless enhances SBC's ability to deliver a broad range of communications and entertainment services, according to an an-nouncement by SBC.

SBC and Yahoo! created SBC Yahoo! Dial, a dial-up Internet service. The new service combines SBC's network access with Yahoo!'s content, according to SBC.

SBC, Cingular Wireless

As part of its communications and entertainment service portfolio, the alliance allows SBC companies to offer stand-alone Cingular Wireless options as well as discounted service packages featuring SBC's communications services and Cingular Wireless service. The announcement follows the company's recent strategic alliance with EchoStar Communications Corporation, which allows SBC to offer its customers EchoStar's DISH Network satellite television services.

The strategic alliances, combined with SBC's core telecommunications services, allow the company to offer a full range of local, long distance and wireless communications options, high-speed DSL or dial-up Internet service, and DISH Network television services.

A majority of consumers utilize multiple communications and entertainment services, and independent research has shown a strong preference for the convenience, flexibility and cost-effectiveness of broad service options from communications providers.

"The combination of wireline and wireless should be compelling for consumers, particularly with discounts and the simplicity of a single bill," said Amy Harris, program manager, broadband markets and technologies, IDC. "Combined with SBC's DSL Internet service and recent EchoStar alliance, this agreement positions SBC well for competition with cable and other telecom providers."

Cingular service options will be available in the SBC Southwestern Bell region covering Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas in late June.

SBC has begun deployment of DISH Network television service options throughout its territory, with full availability scheduled later this summer. Later in the year, SBC will offer discounted service options for customers who subscribe to both SBC's high-speed DSL Internet service and DISH Network.

"Multiple communications services are a fact of life for most people today as it becomes increasingly important to stay connected at home or on the go," said Ray Wilkins, group president of marketing and sales for SBC Communications. "SBC is working to provide customers with the choices they need, as well as the flexibility, affordability and convenience that they want."

Choices

Customers will be able to choose from a variety of service options for both landline and wireless service, and will receive a single bill from SBC. New Cingular customers who sign up for the landline/wireless service packages will receive a 10 percent discount on the wireless monthly rate portion of their bills for Cingular local plans, or a 5 percent discount for Cingular national plans.

SBC, Yahoo!

SBC Yahoo! Dial offers consumers nationwide a choice for dial Internet service. SBC Yahoo! Dial provides personalization, e-mail sub-accounts, e-mail storage and online personal storage.

It will be combined with Yahoo! services, including finance, search and music, and features such as online calendaring, e-mail and customized news-tracking, plus a suite of premium services at no additional charge.

"The new SBC Yahoo! Dial service will enrich consumers' online experience by providing valuable Yahoo! content, unmatched personalization capabilities and the network reliability customers have come to expect from SBC," said Wilkins.

"Consumers now have a powerful alternative to the one-size-fits-all' dial services offered by other national ISPs," he added.

"The new SBC Yahoo! Dial service offers an enhanced online experience and new choice for consumers particularly for the hundreds of millions of loyal Yahoo! users who are seeking an alternative to current ISPs," said Jim Brock, senior vice president, major initiatives, Yahoo! Inc.

"SBC Yahoo! Dial is a compelling consumer offering that combines dial access, a customized portal and browser, and a suite of premium services and content.

"We believe the service will be highly competitive to the other ISPs on the market today," Brock said.