SBC Communications Announces Multi-Tiered Voice And Data Services Contract With Vitro, S.A. de C.V.

Under the terms of the contract, SBC companies will provide local and long distance voice services, SBC Yahoo! DSL Internet service, SBC PremierSERV(SM) Data Center Hosting and SBC PremierSERV(SM) Network- Based VPN (NVPN) to Vitro America's locations nationwide. Approximately 180 locations will utilize the local and long distance voice services, while 125 locations will be outfitted with SBC Yahoo! DSL Internet service. Fifty-six locations will utilize the SBC PremierSERV(SM) Network-Based VPN (NVPN).

The solutions will give Vitro America a more centralized network, making it easier for the company to conduct inventory audits and do customer product searches. For example, if a customer at Binswanger Glass in Waco, Texas, wanted a car windshield that was not in stock, the employees of Binswanger could do an inventory search to determine which store in the Vitro network did have the windshield in stock. This would be made possible with the help of a computer application that will use the communication circuits provided by SBC companies.

"As one of the United States' leading glass producers with locations nationwide, it's important for us to know what inventory we have and where, so we can continue to provide the best possible service to our customers," said Luis Gonzalez, president, Vitro America. "Our relationship with SBC companies, and the state-of-the-art voice and network services they provide, will be instrumental in helping us maintain that level of customer service."

SBC PremierSERV(SM) Data Center Hosting is an equipment housing service that offers on-site technical support in a fault-tolerant, secure environment. SBC PremierSERV(SM) Network-Based VPN (NVPN) uses MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) functionality to enable hosted VPN connections to work seamlessly with existing data network connections, such as optical services, Frame Relay, ATM or premises equipment-based VPNs.

Prior to this contract with SBC companies, Vitro America was utilizing a frame relay network from different telecommunications carriers that covered 22 locations. Already utilizing some SBC Long Distance services, Vitro America decided to consolidate all of its voice and data services with the SBC companies.

"This contract is a terrific example of our ability to provide end- to-end voice and data networking services," said Mark Keiffer, president, SBC Business Communications Services. "Vitro's decision to consolidate all of its voice and data services for Vitro America with SBC companies demonstrates our expertise in providing enterprise customers of all sizes with a complete portfolio of voice, data and long distance services."