Hailing the birth of a mobile network operator behemoth, AT&T Wireless has accepted Cingular Wireless' takeover bid: the two operators expect to become one by year's end.
Cingular Wireless, a joint venture between SBC Communications and BellSouth, announced today an agreement to acquire AT&T Wireless, creating the premier wireless carrier in the United States. Today, the combined company would have 46 million customers with spectrum in 49 states and coverage in 97 of the top 100 markets.
"This is great news for America's wireless users," said Stan Sigman, president and CEO of Cingular Wireless. "By combining the strengths of these two companies we expect to accelerate the availability of advanced wireless services for consumers. This combination is expected to create customer benefits and growth prospects neither company could have achieved on its own and will mean better coverage, improved reliability, enhanced call quality and a wide array of new and innovative services for consumers."
Customers of the new company will have access to the largest GSM network in the United States, and an eventual integration is expected to be conducted smoothly due to both operators using the same technology. Also, Cingular said its customers will be presented with the widest choice of handsets and devices in the industry.
Due to improved spectrum holdings, the new company also expects to be able to accelerate its offering of advanced wireless data services more rapidly bring to market high-speed third generation services in the future.
The acquisition, which is subject to the approvals of AT&T Wireless shareholders and federal regulatory authorities, and to other customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed as soon as late 2004.
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