AT&T looking at buying wireless rival

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Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 10:44 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK -- AT&T Wireless may propose a buyout of mobile phone rival Nextel Communications at an AT&T board meeting later this month in a bid to shine new light on one of AT&T's few bright spots, the Wall Street Journal reported today.

The board meeting is also expected to include discussion of other strategic options for the overall company, including a potential merger with British Telecommunications, another struggling giant, or a possible spinoff of AT&T's long-distance business, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Meanwhile, in addition to Nextel, AT&T Wireless might also try to merge operations with several mobile phone carriers in Europe and at least one Japanese concern, the report said.

Nextel, based in McLean, Va., has recently made it clear that it is looking for partners.