UPDATE: According to RCR News, this may not be the case. A Cingular spokesperson stated that SBC CEO Whitacre was talking about SBC taking on a name change (they have already converted into AT&T). MobileTracker is awaiting confirmation from Cingular.
Cingular Wireless is going to re-brand its wireless under the AT&T name. The change is spurred by SBC (Cigular's parent company) buying out AT&T and getting rights to the name. Last year Cingular bought out AT&T Wireless and converted it under its existing brand.
In an interview with USA TODAY on Friday, Whitacre left no doubt about his plans. Asked if the company planned to drop the Cingular name in favor of the AT&T brand, Whitacre said, "Yes, we do."
A time frame was not announced for the rebranding. The merger between SBC and AT&T was a $16 billion deal.
Developing...
The logic is that the AT&T name is way more valuable and has more prestige and respect than Cingular. A verry savvy business move.
I agree that it's an odd move, but there has to be a reason. It's probably what D M said, but I think it's flawed. To the younger generation AT&T means nothing. To older generations it stands for big abusive companies (hello baby bells!) which is not something you want for a hip cellphone company. Not to mention the past AT&T Wireless which stood for poor customer service.
Add to it the fact that Cingular has more hits on Google than Nike...
Now if only they will bring back the superior rate plans and coverage associated with the AT&T name... I hate Cingular....
ummm. USA Today got it all wrong and the rest of the media bloodsuckers picked up on that story and no one bothered to research it. What ED was saying is that SBC(att) will sell wireless service under thier brand name. (just like SBC and Bellsouth do now) sbc/att will resell Cingular service on the sbc/att bill. thats it. end of story.
i agree with jake 100%.......i do because i know he is right for fact.....i talked to cingular today and the name will stay intact...this will only affect customers with a bundle type program (sbc landline, sbc yahoo dsl, directv/dish net, and cingular; combined on a bill).
hmmm...so when cingular bought out at&t wireless, i had to pay $30 to switch from att to cingular. if they rebrand, maybe they get to charge me $30 again. in that case, that makes sense.
idiot,
why did you have to pay $30.00 dollars. Any former AT&T customers can migrate over to the Cingular Wireless network for free. Obviously you would have to pay for your equipment. Im assuming you paid $30 for your equipment
Thia is a smart move. ATT name is more respected in the market in community. ATT is known for award winning support and prices.
where is the ATT site on which I could send text messages?
I am currently an AT&T wireless customer, I was very much upset when AT&T merged with Cinguler. If AT&T will no longer be available for me to receive AT&T wireless phones again, then when my contract expires, I will not renew with any other agent, I will remain an independent agent when my contract is up. Now I have to search for a merger phone, or another brand name that can be unlocked to use my AT&T sim card. If you have any answers, please e-mail me prompto and let me know.
I am currently an AT&T wireless customer, I was very much upset when AT&T merged with Cinguler. If AT&T will no longer be available for me to receive AT&T wireless phones again, then when my contract expires, I will not renew with any other agent, I will remain an independent agent when my contract is up. Now I have to search for a merger phone, or another brand name that can be unlocked to use my AT&T sim card. If you have any answers, please e-mail me prompto and let me know.
http://www.mymmode.com/messagecenter/init
for attwireless textmessaging.
This is a really dumb move... What's the logic?