AT&T Dumps Cingular Wireless Signs

AT&T workers spent Sunday night tearing down Cingular Wireless signs in 1,800 retail outlets nationwide.

The telephone giant said Monday that it replaced Cingular branding and signage at all of its company-owned retail outlets. AT&T announced plans to drop the Cingular Wireless brand in January.

AT&T added that the rebranding will help it to prepare for the launch in late June of the iPhone from Apple. The iPhone combines the functionality of Apple’s iPod MP3 players with a mobile phone. It can also work as a personal digital assistant.

Apple has an agreement with AT&T that makes the telco the exclusive U.S. wireless provider for the iPhone. In March, AT&T boasted that 1 million of its customers had expressed interest in buying the iPhone once it became available.