SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
                     TO MERGE WITH SBC COMMUNICATIONS

          SAN ANTONIO, Texas, January 5, 1998--SBC Communications (NYSE:
SBC) today announced the execution of a definitive agreement to merge with
Southern New England Telecommunications Corp. (NYSE: SNG) in a move
expected to strengthen the company's competitive edge in the dynamic
telecommunications market.

          The $4.4 billion transaction will combine companies with
complementary wireless businesses and strong local telephone company
operations. Southern New England Telecommunications (SNET) provides a range
of telecommunications services including traditional wireline, wireless,
long distance, Internet and data in Connecticut, in addition to wireless
service in Rhode Island and western Massachusetts. SBC provides wireless
service in the Northeast markets of Boston, upstate New York and
Washington, D.C./Baltimore.

          "This merger reflects the confidence we have in the growth
prospects of our companies' wireless and wireline businesses. Our
combination will be good for the customers, shareowners and employees of
both companies," said Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., SBC chairman and CEO. "SNET
is an excellent telecommunications company with an outstanding management
team. We share a similar commitment to providing high-quality, one-stop
telecommunications services, and this merger strengthens our ability to
compete successfully."

          Whitacre said SNET will benefit from SBC's financial resources
and wireless and marketing expertise, while SBC will benefit from SNET's
valuable experience in providing long distance services. In the latest J.D.
Power national customer satisfaction survey, SNET was ranked the number one
long-distance company in America among mainstream users.

          The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and
approval by SNET's shareholders, involves a merger of a wholly owned
subsidiary of SBC into SNET. Holders of SNET common stock at the effective
time of the merger would receive 0.8784 of a share of SBC common stock for
each share of SNET common stock in a tax-free exchange. Based on SBC's
closing stock price on Jan. 2, 1998, of $74.9375 per share, this represents
a value of approximately $65.83 for each SNET share. For example, an SNET
shareowner holding 1,000 shares of stock would receive 878.4 shares of SBC
stock. The transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of interests.





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SNET's operating headquarters will continue to be in New Haven, Conn., and
it will continue to operate under the SNET name.

          "We've worked hard to bring advanced telecommunications products
and services to the people of Connecticut for more than a century, and
we're thrilled to become part of a company which shares our values and
commitment to our customers, employees, shareowners and communities," said
Daniel J. Miglio, SNET's chairman and chief executive officer. "Customer
satisfaction, a strong market presence and innovative services will be even
more critical to our success as the industry continues to change. Joining
SBC will assure our ability to best meet Connecticut's needs into the 21st
century and beyond."

          "We'll continue SNET's commitment to the people of Connecticut
and its traditionally strong support of community activities, education,
economic development and quality of life," Whitacre said.

          The companies hope to complete the transaction by the end of
1998. It must be approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Utilities
Control and the Federal Communications Commission, and will require filing
with the United States Department of Justice. The two companies are not
competitors in the local exchange or wireless markets. Upon completion of
the merger, SBC will serve over 34.7 million access lines in high-growth
areas and have access to more than 92.6 million potential wireless
customers across the country.

          SNET is the leading information, communications and entertainment
company in Connecticut, offering a full range of wireline products
including SNET All Distance service as well as wireless voice and data
services, Internet access and cable TV. The company is building 1-SNET, a
statewide broadband information superhighway.

          SBC Communications Inc. is a global leader in the
telecommunications industry, with more than 32 million access lines and
over 5 million wireless customers across the United States, as well as
investments in telecommunications businesses in 10 countries. Under the
Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell and Cellular One brands, SBC,
through its subsidiaries, offers a wide range of innovative services,
including local and long-distance telephone service, wireless
communications, paging, Internet access, and messaging, as well as
telecommunications equipment, and directory advertising and publishing. SBC
(www.sbc.com) has more than 116,000




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employees and reported 1996 revenues of $23.5 billion. SBC's equity market
value of $67.3 billion (as of December 31, 1997) ranks it as one of the
largest telecommunications companies in the world.