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SBC Communications Selects Lucent Technologies Multimedia Platform to Enable Anytime, Anywhere Access to Consumer IP Services; SBC to Deliver Innovative New IP Applications on Subscribers' Wireline and Mobile Devices

Posted on: Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) today announced Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU) will provide a comprehensive IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) platform that will help SBC integrate wireline and wireless services in new and powerful ways, and deliver anytime, anywhere access to a "grand slam" of next-generation Internet Protocol (IP)-based services - both wireline and wireless voice, high-speed Internet access and video.

The Lucent IMS platform, consisting of an array of IMS-related hardware and software products and applications, will enable SBC companies to share next-generation customizable IP-based services and applications across different consumer devices. SBC expects to begin introducing services enabled by the IMS platform in late 2006 or early 2007.

"This agreement is a significant step in SBC's continuing effort to build solutions around consumers' lifestyles," said John Stankey, SBC senior executive vice president - chief technology officer. "Lucent's IMS solution will help customers access and use IP-enabled voice, video and broadband data services regardless of where they're located, or which wireless or wireline device they're using at the time."

Cingular Wireless LLC, a joint venture between SBC and BellSouth (NYSE:BLS), and Lucent on Monday announced that Lucent also will provide its IMS platform to Cingular. While Cingular and SBC each will independently deploy their respective platforms, having a common platform supplier will enhance opportunities for SBC and Cingular to provide their customers a more seamless wireless/wireline experience.

IMS is an open, standards-based multimedia service architecture that brings together mobile and fixed IP services to enable anytime, anywhere access. In addition, IMS helps to create an environment in which more features can more easily be customized or added.

Lucent Worldwide Services will assist SBC companies in integrating the platform. This includes extensive multivendor integration and technical support services that will connect and maintain a critical link between SBC companies' core network, its new applications portal and its back-office billing and operations support systems.

"IMS-based services allow for enhanced, customized and personalized services that offer compelling value to consumers. IMS is truly a transformational step in network development with the potential to reshape and radically improve the customer experience," said David Heeren, vice president of sales for Lucent Technologies. "We are excited to work with SBC to help bring product and service integration from conception to reality."

Lucent IMS Solution Offering

SBC companies will deploy Lucent's IMS offering - part of Lucent's Accelerate(TM) Next Generation Communications Solutions portfolio - that consists of products and applications, both with unique Bell Labs developed enhancements and services.

SBC companies plan to implement a managed consumer Voice-over-IP service powered by the Lucent IMS architecture.

Among the products and applications are the Lucent Session Manager, including the service broker function; the Lucent Feature Server; Lucent Unified Subscriber Data Server; Lucent Network Controller; Lucent Network Gateway; Lucent Communication Manager with next-generation features; MiLife(R) Application Server and MiLife(R) SurePay(R) Solutions.

Financial terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

About SBC

SBC Communications Inc. 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 51 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 offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.

About Lucent Technologies

Lucent Technologies designs and delivers the systems, services and software that drive next-generation communications networks. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent uses its strengths in mobility, optical, software, data and voice networking technologies, as well as services, to create new revenue-generating opportunities for its customers, while enabling them to quickly deploy and better manage their networks. Lucent's customer base includes communications service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide. For more information on Lucent Technologies, which has headquarters in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, visit www.lucent.com.

Source: Business Wire

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