SBC Buys Network Consulting Company

SAN ANTONIO -- SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) today announced the acquisition of network consulting company Callisma Inc., in a move designed to enhance its ability to deliver managed communications offerings and professional network consulting services to enterprise business customers.

The acquisition of Palo Alto, Calif.-based Callisma brings to the SBC family of companies the experience and expertise of Callisma's 125 employees, who focus on assisting enterprise customers in the planning, design and implementation of advanced communications networks. This expertise, as well as Callisma's strong existing relationships with many large companies, will complement the ongoing SBC initiative to deliver a full range of network lifecycle services to enterprise customers on a national basis.

"Effective, efficient consulting services have never been more important for enterprise businesses, as they look to adopt advanced networking capabilities such as high-performance IP-VPNs, all while coping with tight budgets and limited in-house expertise," said Ray Wilkins, group president, SBC Marketing and Sales. "The key to managed services is delivering the right expertise - the right people - along with a powerful array of service options. Our acquisition of Callisma substantially strengthens this critical ability by adding Callisma's highly respected consultants to our own team. Our enterprise customers will benefit from Callisma's business consulting and network implementation capabilities."

Ralph Troupe, founder, chairman and CEO of Callisma, will continue to lead Callisma's operations, reporting to Wilkins. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"This agreement is a wonderful opportunity for Callisma to continue to grow in affiliation with SBC Communications, an emerging leader in managed services," Troupe said. "We look forward to adding our knowledge and capabilities to the comprehensive range of offerings that SBC companies are able to deliver to enterprise customers."

SBC Communications Inc.