In a surprising bid Cingular, a SBC/Bellsouth joint production, has outbid Vodaphone for the rights to purchase AT&T Wireless and offer even more coverage of their crummy reception.

"By combining the strengths of these two companies we expect to accelerate the availability of advanced wireless services for consumers," Stan Sigman, Cingular's president and CEO said in a statement.

The deal is expected to close late this year, however AT&T wireless customers can expect static and additional roaming charges immediately.