Cingular Passes 50 Million Subscriber Milestone

Cingular Wireless, which became the largest U.S. wireless operator after merging with AT&T Wireless last fall, claimed Tuesday that it has passed the 50 million subscriber milestone.

"Attaining 50 million customers is a key indicator that our merger with AT&T Wireless is working and working robustly," Cingular president and CEO Stan Sigman said in a statement. " Before the merger, Verizon Wireless was the largest U.S. carrier. When the merger was closed last October, Cingular had about 47 million subscribers, meaning it has added three million since the merger.