In a conference call with reporters last week, SBC CEO Ed Whitacre, Jr., said expanding the footprint of Cingular, the wireless carrier the company co-owns with BellSouth, is among his 2004 goals.
Although according to Whitacre there is still a gap between what Cingular is willing to pay and the price demanded by potential takeover targets, still has interest in exploring a deal.
Cingular is reportedly in merger talks with AT&T Wireless. The companies have held similar talks over the last year, but according to recent reports talks have sparked new life.