SBC Communications Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. signed a multi-year extension of their current agreement to provide co-branded DSL and Dial services and announced plans to extend the alliance to wireless technology. In addition to offering services to personal computers, home televisions and audio systems, services will be offered via Cingular Wireless L.L.C. phones, SBC’s FreedomLink Wi-Fi service and SBC Home Networking equipment.
As part of the extension, both companies will work to develop a co-branded SBC Yahoo! experience for Cingular customers that will enable them to access personalized Web-based content and all integrated messages from wireless handsets. The companies said they will also work to further integrate the SBC Yahoo! environment with the FreedomLink service, including local search information.
“This alliance advances the SBC strategy to evolve the ‘digital home’ into the ‘digital lifestyle,'” explained Edward Whitacre Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of SBC. “What you see on your SBC Yahoo! Internet home page is coming to a TV set or wireless phone near you.”
SBC and Yahoo! first announced a strategic partnership in late 2001 that resulted in the launch of the co-branded DSL and Dial services in 2002. The first new products from the expanded partnership are expected to be available next year.<p
