Southwestern Bell Offers Wireless Customers Free Long-Distance Calling on Holidays

Kansas City, Missouri, November 22, 1996

Southwestern Bell wireless customers will get a chance to spend the holidays with their loved ones, even if they live across the country, with a special offer announced today.

On Thanksgiving and Christmas days, Southwestern Bell cellular long-distance customers will enjoy free, unlimited long-distance calling to loved ones in the continental United States for calls made from their home service area.

"Customers can use their wireless phones in Southwestern Bell coverage areas to call family and friends in the continental U.S. on these two holidays and the long-distance charges are on us," said Paul Roth, vice president and general manager for Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems. "It's a great way for us to wish our customers a happy holiday season and to show them that we appreciate their business."

The offer extends to Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems customers who use Southwestern Bell as their long-distance service provider. Regular off-peak airtime rates apply, but the long-distance charges are free. For those who want to take advantage of this exclusive holiday offer and Southwestern Bell is not their cellular long-distance provider, it's easy to change. "Just press *LD and the 'send' button on your wireless phone and a Southwestern Bell customer service representative will sign you up," Roth said. "The call to change is airtime-free, and there's no cost to the customer."

Southwestern Bell offers cellular, paging and cellular long-distance services in key markets throughout Texas, Mo., Kan., and Okla. Southwestern Bell serves more than four million cellular customers in 63 service areas nationwide. The company is the second-largest wireless company in the U.S. Its market-penetration rate of 10.1 percent is well above the industry average.

Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems is an affiliate of SBC Communications Inc., one of the world's leading diversified telecommunications companies. SBC's businesses include Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.; wireless services and equipment in the United States, Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and Asia; business and consumer telecommunications equipment; messaging services; cable TV services in domestic and international markets; and directory advertising and publishing. SBC (NYSE:SBC) reported 1995 revenues of $12.7 billion.

Southwestern Bell Offers Wireless Customers Unlimited Holiday Calling

Thanksgiving, Christmas days targeted for special promotion

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, November 27, 1996

Southwestern Bell will give its cellular customers a holiday gift, one that enables them to make free cellular long-distance calls to anywhere in the continental United States on Thanksgiving and Christmas, Southwestern Bell announced today.

From 12:01 a.m. to midnight on these two holidays, Southwestern Bell cellular long-distance customers will enjoy free, unlimited long-distance calling to loved ones in the continental United States for calls made from their home service area. While long-distance charges will be waived, normal airtime and other charges will apply.

"Customers can use their wireless phones in Southwestern Bell coverage areas to call family and friends anywhere in the continental U.S. on these two holidays and the long-distance charges are on us," said Mark Royse, vice president/general manager of Southwestern Bell's wireless division. "It's a great way for us to wish our customers a happy holiday season and to show them that we appreciate their business."

For customers who would like to take advantage of this exclusive holiday offer and Southwestern Bell is not their cellular long-distance provider, it's easy to change. "Simply call Southwestern Bell at (405) 720-0411 and ask that Southwestern Bell be designated as your cellular long-distance provider," said Royse. "The call to change is airtime-free, and there's no cost to the customer."

Southwestern Bell began offering cellular long-distance on February 8, moments after President Clinton signed into law the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Southwestern Bell offers cellular long-distance throughout all of its markets in Oklahoma and other states.

Southwestern Bell offers cellular, paging and cellular long-distance services in key markets throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Kansas. Southwestern Bell together with its Cellular One affiliate serve more than 4 million cellular customers in 63 service areas nationwide. The companies comprise the second largest wireless company in the U.S., with market penetration of 10.1 percent, which is well above the industry average.