Tournament showcases first-ever Wi-Fi Hotspots all-round broadband access from SBC


SBC COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES FREEDOMLINK WI-FI HOT SPOTS FOR 2004 EDS BYRON NELSON CHAMPIONSHIP


DALLAS, May 10, 2004 /Wi-Fi Technology News/-- For the first time in the history of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, attendees will have access to wireless high-speed Internet service to keep up with tournament play online or check e-mail back at the office. SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) today announced that 10 FreedomLinkSM Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) hot spots and 29 SBC Yahoo! DSL wired Internet connections will be deployed at the tournament in Irving, Texas, May 12-16.

The event marks the first year of a multi-year commitment by SBC companies to make high-speed Internet service available free of charge to spectators, sponsors, staff and players. FreedomLink hot spots will deliver high-speed Internet connectivity to corporate hospitality tents and surrounding areas on the golf course. Attendees can access high-speed Internet using Wi-Fi enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants to get up-to-the-minute updates on tournament play or keep in touch with the office from the golf course.

Additionally, SBC Internet Services will set up wired high-speed DSL Internet connections in hospitality tents on the course and corporate villas in the Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas for sponsors and staff to conveniently access the Internet.

"The convenience of FreedomLink service helps the sponsors, staff and spectators of the 2004 EDS Byron Nelson Championship communicate more effectively and have immediate access to the information they need without missing any tournament play," said Steve Barley, 2004 tournament chairman.

"The EDS Byron Nelson Championship is the premier sporting event in the North Texas communities, benefiting so many children and families involved with the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers like the J. Erik Jonsson Community School. We are honored to be a part of this event and to enhance attendees' experience with the benefits of FreedomLink Wi-Fi service," said Russ Porter, vice president of sales, SBC Southwest.

Very high bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) systems from Telco Systems (http://www.telco.com/default.asp) will provide connectivity between FreedomLink hot spots and the SBC communications operation center at the tournament. Telco Systems, a carrier-class IP and TDM transport and access product and solution developer, also will provide connectivity for the wired Internet sites. Telco Systems' Wi-Fi and wired VDSL Internet access solution provides high-speed Internet access at speeds up to 10 Mbps - the highest data rates of the DSL technologies.

Attendees of the 2004 EDS Byron Nelson Championship can learn more about FreedomLink at the SBC corporate hospitality booth at the 18th green.

FreedomLink service was launched in late 2003 and will provide Wi-Fi Internet access to customers in venues such as airports, hotels, convention centers and restaurants. Customers can view a list of FreedomLink locations and obtain ordering information by visiting http://www.sbc.com/freedomlink.


SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) 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 more than 24 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 now offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at http://www.sbc.com.