Sunday, October 3, 2004

SBC Rolls out Unified Messaging Across Wireline and Wireless Services

SBC Communications introduced a Unified Communications service that provides a common inbox from multiple wireline and wireless sources for voice messages, faxes, and e-mails. Key features include:

  • Cingular Wireless integration, so customers can access wireless messages from the same portal as landline, e-mail, and fax messages.


  • Integrated message center that allows subscribers to view wireless and wireline voice-mails, e-mail, and fax subject lines all in one inbox.


  • Text-to-speech technology reads e-mails over the phone. Users can listen to voice-mails over their computers (which also allows for prioritization of voice-mails). Customers can check fax message headers from the phone, and view and print them through the computer.


  • E-mail or pager notification of new voice-mail or faxes.


  • 50 MB of online storage for consumers and 100 MB for businesses.


  • Up to four shared Unified Communications mailboxes under one account


  • Customers can establish as many as 15 distribution lists, each with up to 25 entries for telephone numbers or e-mail addresses.


The new service is available in major cities throughout the SBC service territory. It is offered as a standalone service $10.95 per month (California) or in bundles of SBC residential services, including the All Distance unlimited local and long distance calling bundle for an additional $3 per month. http://www.sbc.com