Cingular Wireless Now Largest Digital Voice and Data Wireless Network In U.S.



ATLANTA -/27 Oct, 2004 - Wi-Fi Technology News/- Cingular Wireless LLC, a joint venture between SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) and BellSouth Corp. (NYSE: BLS), said it has completed its previously announced merger with AT&T Wireless Services Inc., creating the nation's biggest wireless carrier with the largest digital voice and data network in the country.

The newly combined company, with more than 46 million customers and an extensive nationwide network, will offer consumers maximum convenience and flexibility, improved reliability, enhanced call quality and the widest array of new and advanced services.


"It's a new day for wireless customers in America. We are committed to improving the wireless experience and giving customers the coverage, the phones, the capabilities and the call clarity they deserve," said Stan Sigman, president and CEO of Cingular. "We are also committed to expanding our high-speed Third Generation services to the ever-growing community of mobile data users. And Cingular is laying the foundation to enable rural carriers to bring 3G services to rural America."

All required federal regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission, have approved the transaction. Under terms of the agreement, AT&T Wireless shareholders will receive $15 per common share, or approximately $41 billion.

Customer Benefits

Cingular will now start opening access to both the Cingular and AT&T Wireless GSM networks to further improve coverage, allowing customers of both companies to use the new, combined network without roaming charges.
Customers also will have the ability to make unlimited mobile-to-mobile calls to any Cingular or AT&T Wireless customer.

"Cingular itself is the result of a merger of major wireless providers, so we know a lot about successfully combining companies, networks and operations," said Sigman. "We'll use our employees' experience and expertise to bring the full benefit of the combined company to our customers."

Cingular and AT&T Wireless customers will benefit from the new company's enhanced spectrum position and combined network assets. This strong combination will pave the way for a true 3G wireless network - UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) - to be delivered to customers in major urban and suburban markets across the United States, making possible an even greater range of new and advanced wireless services. Customers will have the widest choice of handsets and devices in the industry and unmatched services for business customers, including high-speed wireless connectivity for PCs and wireless email devices.

The combined company will also greatly expand its global capabilities, ultimately offering customers the largest international coverage of any U.S. carrier. Customers can use their "world phones" to make calls on six continents and in more than 100 countries. In addition, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) data roaming will be available in more than 50 countries for laptops, PDAs and other data devices.

Seamless Transition

Customers of both companies will continue to enjoy the benefits of their current phones, rate plans and features, without any service interruption.
Customers with questions or looking for more information should log on to http://www.cingular.com for answers about the new company. Cingular will soon start communicating with customers through advertising, and direct communications channels.

"We are working to make this transition as seamless as possible for customers of AT&T Wireless," continued Sigman. "They can continue using their existing phones and rate plans - but now have access to the largest digital voice and data network in the country. And it's only going to get better from here - as we add more capabilities and services our customers want."


Corporate Leadership Named

The new company's key leadership and organizational structure are now in place. Stan Sigman will continue to serve as the president and CEO of the new company and Ralph de la Vega will continue his current role as chief operating officer. Pete Ritcher will be the chief financial officer, Thaddeus Arroyo will be chief information officer and Joaqu?n Carbonell will serve as executive vice president - general counsel. Rick Bradley will be executive vice president - human resources, and Marc Lefar will be the chief marketing officer. The company will continue to be headquartered in Atlanta.

"From the start, we have seen deep synergies between our two companies - in compatible technologies, operations and systems; rich histories of product innovation and more importantly, a management team with unmatched wireless experience," continued Sigman. "We have taken some of the best talent from both companies and brought them together to drive the next wave of innovation and growth in the wireless industry."


ABOUT CINGULAR WIRELESS
Cingular Wireless is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving more than 46 million customers. Cingular, a joint venture between SBC Communications (NYSE: SBC) and BellSouth (NYSE: BLS), has the largest digital voice and data network in the nation. Cingular is the only U.S.
wireless carrier to offer RolloverSM, the wireless plan that lets customers keep their unused monthly minutes. Details of the company are available at http://www.cingular.com.