Cingular parent SBC buys AT&T

Jan 31 2005 - 03:16 AM ET | Cingular

SBC Communications, 60% owner of Cingular Wireless, has agreed (WSJ Online subscription req.) to purchase AT&T for roughly $16 billion. SBC is no stranger to large mergers, it approved the $41 billion buyout of AT&T Wireless last year. AT&T had previously announced plans to reuse its AT&T Wireless brand name to start a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). It's not known if the SBC buyout will affect this plan (having AT&T Wireless pop up again offering mobile phone service would be confusing for Cingular customers to say the least). The deal is still subject to approval by AT&T's shareholders and regulators. Analysts expect it to close in the first half of 2006. BellSouth is the minority owner of Cingular Wireless.

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