ATLANTA-Following a disappointing third quarter in which it reported a net loss of customers, Cingular Wireless L.L.C. named Stan Sigman president and chief executive officer replacing Stephen Carter who will take over as vice president of SBC Communications Inc.
Prior to his new position, Sigman was group president and chief operating officer for SBC and a member of Cingular’s board of directors.
“Cingular’s customers, employees and shareowners will be well served by Stan’s unsurpassed vision, leadership and expertise in serving customers and growing the business,” said Ed Whitacre, chairman and CEO of SBC. “Stephen has done a terrific job establishing Cingular as one of the nation’s leading wireless companies and managing the integration of multiple companies and identities into one of the most recognizable brands in the United States.”
Analysts noted the move signals a shift for the carrier from one of growth when it was formed in early 2001 to being more operationally efficient in an increasingly competitive environment.
Carter’s replacement at Cingular comes on the heels of a similar move at rival Sprint PCS, which replaced its president Charles Levine last month with Len Lauer after Sprint PCS reported a similar loss in net subscribers during the third quarter.
