Cingular Wireless to Become AT&T

Last month, SBC said it would adopt the AT&T brand name following the completion of its $16 billion merger with the company. But SBC did not say what would happen to Cingular, in which it controls a 60 percent stake. On Monday, however, the company confirmed plans to phase out the Cingular name and replace it with AT&T.

Although Cingular owners SBC and Bell South have made big efforts to promote the brand, SBC CEO Ed Whitacre says the company wants to use AT&T to market all of its products. Cingular had already acquired AT&T Wireless last year, and the SBC merger will bring with it a revamped image for the former Ma Bell. No date for the change was announced.