HP Teaming Up With SBC

Hewlett-Packard Co., the second-largest maker of personal computers, and SBC Communications Inc. said Wednesday that they planned to jointly sell technology and communications services to U.S. businesses starting this quarter.

Hewlett-Packard and SBC, the nation’s second-largest local-telephone company and the dominant carrier in California, said the aim was to help clients cut the cost of running data and voice networks and supporting the computer systems used to run businesses.

The partnership, which grew out of a 2001 alliance, would let the companies package services so customers can deal with one company and pay one bill, said David Vaporean, who manages strategic ventures for Hewlett-Packard. That includes such diverse services as supporting desktop PC users and playing host to a company’s entire technology operations, which is Hewlett-Packard’s specialty, as well as SBC’s voice, data and wireless services.

Hewlett-Packard and SBC will service businesses with anywhere from one to 5,000 workers, Vaporean said.

Shares of Palo Alto-based Hewlett-Packard fell 1 cent to $20.04 on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of San Antonio-based SBC rose 16 cents to $24.81, also on the NYSE.