NEW YORK, Jan 31 (AFP) - SBC Communications, which began as a regional operator of local phone services, is in fact a more diversified company and will be even broader if its planned purchase of AT and T takes place. Here are key facts and figures about the two firms and their proposed merger:
GEOGRAPHY
SBC is based in San Antonio, Texas, as is the dominant local phone service provider in 13 states, including Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio and Michigan. Originally known as Southwestern Bell, it expanded its territory in the 1990s with the acquisition of fellow Baby Bells Ameritech and Pacific Telesis. It has 5.1 million high-speed Internet customers through DSL connections on local phone lines.
AT and T is based in Bedminister, New Jersey, but as a long-distance phone provider serves all 50 US states.
EMPLOYEES
SBC: 167,000 worldwide
AT and T: 47,000 worldwide
ANNUAL REVENUES/PROFITS
SBC: 40.7 billion dollars in 2004 revenues; 4.7 billion in profits
AT and T: 30.5 billion dollars; 6.1 billion dollar 2004 loss
MARKET CAPITALIZATION
SBC: roughly 80 billion dollars
AT and T: approximately 15 billion dollars
DEBT
SBC: 26 billion dollars excluding that of Cingular Wireless, in which it holds a 60 percent stake.
AT and T: six billion dollars
SYNERGIES
SBC and AT and T expect to save 15 billion dollars in operating costs once the merger is completed. This would come from eliminating duplicative services, and probably from job cuts, although no reductions have been mentioned by the companies.
01/31/2005 19:31 GMT - AFP