FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1996                          (202) 616-2771
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888


     ANTITRUST DIVISION STATEMENT REGARDING PACIFIC TELESIS/
                   SBC COMMUNICATIONS MERGER  


     The Department of Justice announced today that it is closing
its investigation into the Pacific Telesis and SBC Communications
merger having concluded that the merger did not violate the
antitrust laws.

                               ###

96-542