AT&T; Wireless Has First Subscriber Loss

AT&T; Wireless Services Inc. had its first-ever loss of subscribers last quarter because of computer glitches, while its future parent, Cingular Wireless, added 554,000 customers after improving network quality.

AT&T; Wireless, which agreed to sell itself for $41 billion in February, said it lost a net 367,000 users in the first quarter.

Cingular’s parents, SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp., are seeking speedy approval of the AT&T; Wireless purchase so they can try to reverse customer defections and revive sales. Chief Executive Stan Sigman cut turnover at Atlanta-based Cingular with network upgrades that allow customers to use phones for taking photos, playing games and checking e-mail.

Cingular ended the quarter with 24.6 million subscribers, AT&T; Wireless with 21.7 million. The combination would create the biggest U.S. mobile phone company, with more customers than Verizon Wireless, which is owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group.