BT, AT&T in Mobile Phone Alliance
Thursday September 16, 8:31 am Eastern Time
LONDON (AP) -- British Telecom PLC and AT&T (NYSE:T - news), two of the world's
biggest telephone companies, have formed an alliance to provide mobile telephone services
around the world.
The companies already provide wireless services in 17 countries with a combined customer
base of 41 million, they said in today's announcement.
``If you travel, you expect your BT or AT&T digital phone to work anywhere and everywhere with all of the advanced features
you have -- just as if you were at home. This is not possible in many cases today for a whole host of reasons, including
incompatible technology and government regulation,' said John Zeglis, president of AT&T.
``By pairing two of the leading telecommunications companies in the world ... we think we can make some things happen that
will eventually give customers those `anytime, anywhere' capabilities from their mobile phones.'
BT shares were up 5.1 percent at midday following the announcement.
``It is undoubtedly good news for BT,' said Steve Wreford, analyst at CCF Charterhouse in London. ``Further down the line
we are looking at links on a much wider scale.'
It is not the first time the two companies have announced they would cooperate. In July 1998, they agreed to form a $10 billion
global communications venture to serve multinational businesses and carriers. Regulators have yet to approve that venture.
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