Hedgehogging: hedge*hog*ging v. Interrupting conversations in an office environment by poking your head over the top of the cube.

Who says quarterly financial calls are no fun? During last week’s call by Qwest Communications, financial analysts grilled newly hired CEO Edward Mueller, which we encapsulated here for you.
Analysts: “Where’s our dividend? Why do you want to spend another $200 million on fiber? And why the heck, if you came in during August and you’re the ONLY new guy, are you doing a strategic review that’s going to take until the end of the year? Don’t you know ANYTHING yet that you can tell us?”
Mueller (doing his best Dana Carvey impersonating George Bush): “Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prudent.”
Analysts: “Waaaah! That’s not how Dick Notebaert did it!”
Comedy gold.
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Speaking of financial results, cheers and jeers for Verizon Wireless, which last week reported it added 1.6 million customers during what is usually a slow third quarter. The industry’s No. 2 carrier’s numbers were impressive compared to the customer loss posted by No. 3 rival Sprint Nextel and should easily top No. 4 operator T-Mobile USA. So what’s the jeer for? Well, pesky rival AT&T Mobility added 2 million customers during the quarter, driven in part by the Apple iPhone that Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam recently reiterated the carrier was smart to pass up due to demanding requirements by Apple. We’re sure McAdam is being sincere in his claims, and Verizon Wireless is banking heavily on LG’s “iPhone-killer,” but AT&T Mobility’s is looking well positioned to retain the growth title heading into the fourth quarter and beyond.
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Moving down the carrier chart, MetroPCS last week took back its unsolicited offer to “merge” with rival Leap Wireless, noting it was unable to “engage in meaningful negotiations” with Leap regarding the deal. Not to be outdone, Leap’s management responded to the withdrawl, saying the original offer was inadequate and thus “moot,” always a favorite word around the RCR Wireless News office. But in keeping with its playing-hard-to-get attitude, Leap added that it “remains open to substantive discussions” concerning a deal. Let’s hope this back-and-forth teasing continues.