Chief executive John Zeglis told financial analysts that the nation's third largest mobile phone service provider has received "significant interest from a number of companies." The carrier said in an earlier statement that its board of directors hired financial firm Merrill Lynch and the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to help review its options.
"AT&T Wireless has decided to explore strategic alternatives," Zeglis said on Thursday during a conference call with financial analysts. "There has been so much interest. It's a flattering affirmation of the growth pattern we're on."
He declined to state a timetable for completing review of the bids. "I can't speculate whether we will make any strategic changes."
The company also postponed a meeting with analysts, now scheduled for 27 January, while it examined the recent interest, it said in a statement.
Various recent news reports identified potential suitors as the United States' Cingular Wireless and Nextel Communications; Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo; and British giant Vodafone, which is a part-owner of Verizon Wireless.
Analysts believe an AT&T Wireless sale to another US carrier signals the beginnings of a long-awaited consolidation of America's hypercompetitive mobile phone market.
