In a conference call with reporters last week, SBC (Quote, Chart) CEO Ed Whitacre, Jr., said expanding the footprint of Cingular, the wireless carrier the company co-owns with BellSouth (Quote, Chart), is among his 2004 goals.

Whitacre said there is still a gap between what Cingular is willing to pay and the price demanded by potential takeover targets, but he went out of his way to stress interest in exploring a deal.

Whether it was Whitacre's openness, or other factors, such as an improving economy, Cingular is reportedly at the negotiating table with AT&T Wireless .

The companies have held similar talks over the last year, but according to Reuters news agency, talks have gained new life.

An AT&T Wireless spokesman declined to comment, while Cingular spokesmen were not immediately available.