USA: SBC Communications announces five-year contract with Anheuser-Busch

SBC Communications Inc. announced on September 29 a new contract to deliver voice and data services to Anheuser-Busch, including its St. Louis-based corporate headquarters. Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding approximately 50 percent of the beer market. The company is also one of the largest theme-park operators in the United States.

Under the terms of the five-year contract, SBC companies will provide data network services, as well as local and long distance voice services. SBC companies will also provide on-site telecommunications technicians at Anheuser-Busch's corporate headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.

Anheuser-Busch will use an IP-based network to transport data, including brewery production and distribution information, among all its facilities.

"As our company continues to grow, we needed to move to a new technology standard that will provide high-quality flexible communications solutions and support the amount of data we receive daily in order to analyze our output accurately," said Bob Byrne, vice president and CIO, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. "SBC companies will provide us the reliable data and voice solution that we're confident will meet our needs."

The agreement for voice services will provide Anheuser-Busch with traditional telephony services to support brewery communications. In addition, the services to be provided will support Anheuser-Busch communications with its wholesalers, customers, as well as enhanced toll-free applications for its theme parks and resorts and disaster recovery for its call centers.

"Quick, accurate data information is critical to Anheuser-Busch's business model and marketing efforts, which is why we suggested our IP-based network to support the company's high-bandwidth needs," said Bob Ferguson, group president and CEO, SBC Enterprise Business Solutions. "We're extremely pleased to be working with Anheuser-Busch and appreciate the opportunity to help them expand their already large market presence."

About Anheuser-Busch

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer holding 50 percent of the U.S. beer market. The company is American-owned and brews the world's largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch ranked first in the U.S. beverage industry in Fortune magazine's 2005 "America's Most Admired Companies" and in the top 30 on Fortune's 2005 "Global Most Admired Companies" list The company is one of the largest theme-park operators in the United States, a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and the world's largest recycler of aluminum beverage containers. For more information,visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

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