"Cingular said it will integrate the two companies' systems and networks within 18 months to two years, but analysts said that goal seems lofty. "I didn't really think that was realistic; it's a big challenge, with the number of billing systems, platforms and especially with the launch of any new technologies, like wideband CDMA [Code Division Multiple Access]," said Redman. "Verizon, when it became one company, was only at 90 percent after four years, and Cingular is the largest network integration to date. Can it be done? Certainly it can be done, but I'd say at least two to four years—if ever."


"Cingular, a joint venture of SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp., has begun to fulfill the divestiture obligations required by feder...
(continues)