NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Aug. 11, 2004--Standard&Poor's Rating Services today assigned its 'A+' rating to SBC Communications Inc.'s (A+/Watch Neg/A-1) proposed $1 billion global notes due 2016 and $500 million global notes due 2034. Simultaneously, Standard&Poor's placed these ratings on CreditWatch with negative implications in accordance with existing ratings for SBC. Proceeds will be used to repay a portion of the company's outstanding debt and for general corporate purposes. Standard&Poor's announced on March 26, 2004, that it will be conducting a review of the investment-grade regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs), including SBC Communications Inc., given the rising business risk that these carriers face. Accordingly, the current CreditWatch listing for the ratings of SBC,
