Southwestern Bell Provides Retailers With Self-Service Wireless "Go-Kits"

New Cash And Carry Product Brings Retailers To The Forefront Of Wireless Revolution

Dallas, Texas, December 4, 1997

The wireless industry continues to boom. And while many consumers shop at traditional phone stores for wireless products and services, a recent study found that nearly half of potential wireless users want to purchase wireless phones from more familiar outlets, including department, discount and grocery stores.

In response, Southwestern Bell is offering Go-Kit, a wireless phone package now available in selected Best Buy and Circuit City stores in Texas, Missouri and Arkansas. Southwestern Bell plans to expand the offering to other retailers in Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas in 1998, and eventually will offer digital and analog packages to a variety of national and regional retailers.

"The Wireless Go-Kit is the perfect way for retailers to get into the rapidly expanding wireless business," said Janie Weeks, Southwestern Bell Wireless Go-Kit product manager. "This is a win-win product for department stores and discount retailers because they can now add wireless phones to their product offering without devoting resources to service issues."

Go-Kits include everything customers need to enjoy the safety and convenience of wireless service: a Motorola Profile 300 handset; a battery; a charger/transformer; and full instructions on how to use the phone. Customers can sign up for nationwide wireless service with a single call from home, making the entire Go-Kit experience quick, easy and hassle-free.

The net price of the Wireless Go-Kit is as low as $39.95 after a carrier rebate of up to $100 off the $139.95 suggested retail price. This price includes the equipment and all set-up and activation fees.

Retailers that purchase Go-Kits will receive a complete package of merchandising materials, including end-cap displays and signage. Go-Kits can be purchased on a single purchase order and sold anywhere in Southwestern Bell's five-state service area. Advertising materials are available and a co-op allowance is provided.

Retailers purchase Go-Kits at wholesale and sell at retail, just like any other product. Southwestern Bell will offer service plans for all Go-Kit customers, regardless of credit status, meaning fewer returns for retailers.

After purchasing a Go-Kit, customers call a toll-free number and are connected to a Southwestern Bell Wireless representative, who will help them choose the service plan that best fits their needs. All plans include service to more than 20,000 cities nationwide.

The following options are available:

• Traditional (post-paid) wireless service with a minimum one-year service agreement.
• Month-to-month (post-paid) wireless service with no service agreement.
  Post-paid customers can choose from a variety of rate plans.
  
• Prepaid wireless service with no contract.
  Retailers interested in carrying Go-Kits should call 972.866.5256.

Southwestern Bell Wireless, together with SBC's other wireless affiliates, is a leading wireless provider, serving nearly 5 million customers in 78 markets nationwide. SBC Communication Inc. is a global leader in the telecommunications industry, with more than 32 million access lines and over 5 million wireless customers across the United States, as well as investments in telecommunications businesses in 10 countries. Under the Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell and Cellular One brands, SBC, through its subsidiaries, offers a wide range of innovative services, including local and long-distance telephone service, wireless communications, paging, Internet access, and messaging, as well as telecommunications equipment, and directory advertising and publishing. SBC (www.sbc.com) has more than 114,000 employees and reported 1996 revenues of $23.5 billion. SBC's equity market value of $56.2 billion (as of September 30, 1997) ranks it as one of the five largest telecommunications companies in the world.