SEATTLE-McCaw Cellular Communications Inc. has visibly initiated its transition into AT&T Corp. with a few name changes. Its cellular businesses in Washington and Oregon, previously called Cellular One, and the U.S. operations of McCaw’s in-flight communications company, Claircom, now are being marketed under the AT&T Wireless Services name.
McCaw is in the process of converting its cellular systems to offer equal access to long-distance providers, as required by the Department of Justice Consent Decree signed by AT&T and McCaw at the close of their $11.5 billion merger.
Once McCaw converts at least 60 percent of its customers to equal access, AT&T can market McCaw’s cellular services. The name change is expected to be completed by the end of November.
Previously called Claircom, the Aviation Communications Division of AT&T Wireless Services offers digital voice and data communications from air-to-ground and soon from ground-to-air. Internationally, however, the operation will retain the Claircom name.
