By Matt Richtel Edward Whitacre, chief executive of AT&T, is captivating several hundred employees in an Atlanta auditorium with a pep talk about the rosy future of the world's largest telephone company. His demeanor is commanding, with a practiced avuncular charm.

By Roger Crockett Edward Whitacre has a thing about aeroplane hangars. The chief executive of AT&T has cut a lot of deals in these cavernous confines, including his $61bn (pounds 35bn) purchase of internet service Ameritech.

In a historic move, AT&T (T) announced a deal late Sunday to swallow BellSouth (BLS), one of the country's two remaining regional bell telephone companies, for about $67 billion.

By Pappalardo, Denise While integration is a top priority, the carrier also hopes to lead in the wireless and business markets. NEW YORK - The new AT&T detailed plans last week for how it is bringing together its many telecorn assets and what that will mean for customers.

Feb. 1--SBC Communications' purchase of AT&T for about $16 billion in cash and stock may make strategic sense to executives of the two companies. But it leaves many wondering what impact the combination will have on employees, customers and business partners of the carriers.