Business News.(A)(Business News)

AT&T Wireless' new bond sale

could hit unexpected $6.5 billion

AT&T Wireless Group's proposed bond sale will be 63% more than expected, marketsources said. It would be the largest private bond sale ever conducted by a U.S. company, topping last year's $6 billion sale by its parent, AT&T. It's also the first big test of investor appetite for big bond issues from U.S. wireless service providers. AT&T Wireless' sale was originally expected to tota

l $4 billion to $5 billion. It's offering attractive yields to entice investors.

France Telecom reclaims shares

worth $10.7 billion from Vodafone

Vodafone will sell 113.85 million shares in France Telecom back to the company.It's part of a deal made last year when Vodafone agreed to sell its Orange mobile telephone firm to the French telecom carrier. Vodafone said it will use the cash to reduce debt, which it estimated could hit $14.4 billion by March 31. France Telecom will likely resell the shares as it tries to cut its own debt, estimated at $55 ...