Exhibit 23-a




                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration  statement
(Form  S-8)  of  SBC  Communications  Inc.  pertaining  to the  registration  of
56,000,000  shares of its common stock for the SBC Savings Plan, SBC Savings and
Security Plan,  Pacific Telesis Group 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, Pacific Telesis
Group Stock Option and Stock  Appreciation  Rights Plan,  Pacific  Telesis Group
Nonemployee  Director Stock Option Plan,  SNET 1986 Stock Option Plan, SNET 1995
Stock  Incentive Plan,  Ameritech Long Term Incentive Plan,  Ameritech 1989 Long
Term Incentive Plan, Ameritech  Corporation  Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, and
the DonTech Profit Participation Plan of our reports (a) dated February 8, 2002,
with respect to the consolidated financial statements of SBC Communications Inc.
incorporated  by reference  in its Annual  Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2001, and the related financial statement schedules, and our report
on those schedules dated February 25, 2002, included therein, and (b) dated June
21, 2002,  with respect to the  financial  statements  and  schedules of the SBC
Savings Plan and SBC Savings and Security  Plan,  included in the Plans'  Annual
Reports (Forms 11-K),  both for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                     ERNST & YOUNG LLP


November 21, 2002
San Antonio, Texas