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AT&T Wireless/Cingular merger good news
A merger between AT&T Wireless and Cingular would be good for both companies, according to U.S.-based telecom analyst Jeff Kagan. He writes in an email to Report on Wireless that not only would the merged entity become the largest wireless provider in the U.S., it would also be a healthier company "with more revenue, more market share, more spectrum and lower costs since there will be a lot of overlap in back office expenses that they will trim." Kagan also writes that there is pent-up demand for consolidation in the wireless industry and this might be the kick-start it needed. "I expect that when the dust settles on wireless consolidation we’ll see three or four competitors and lots of smaller ones in a much healthier industry where each company has higher revenue and comparatively lower costs."

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Wireless Matrix Corp. has announced the retirement of John Herring as president and CEO. Al Milligan, VP of Wireless Matrix, has been appointed interim president. Company CFO Mark Weder will assist in executive functions in the short term.

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Microcell and Telus could be headed to court
Microcell Telecommunications Inc. and Telus Mobility are facing off in what could turn out to be an ugly court battle over Microcell’s analog roaming agreement with Telus. Microcell, the country’s smallest national wireless operator, is asking the B.C. Supreme Court for an injunction to ensure that Telus doesn’t cut its roaming connection. According to the filing, Telus has accused Microcell of violating its roaming agreement by promoting its CityFido home replacement service. Microcell launched the initiative on Oct. 9, 2003 (RoW, Oct. 7/03). Microcell also asked the Quebec Superior Court to find Telus in contempt of violating injunctions it issued in November and December. The injunctions relate to a telemarketing campaign targeting Microcell subscribers.

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