AT T Cellular Contract Threatends Baby Bells

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N.Y. Times News Service

WASHINGTON _ Few companies may be more threatened by American Telephone and Telegraph Co.'s $12.6 billion pact to buy the nation's biggest cellular carrier than the seven regional Baby Bell telephone companies.

But just when it might be worth putting up a united front, the Bells, including Southwestern Bell Telephone serving Oklahoma, are deeply split over how to respond _ and in some cases seem to be working at cross-purposes.

They also disagree on technical issues, and that could make it hard for them to match AT T on advanced new services.

AT T's pending takeover of McCaw Cellular Communications Inc., announced …