Ameritech Seeking Bids for Wireless Unit

Ameritech Corp. is soliciting bids for its Chicago wireless business as a key part of the telecommunication company’s planned $80-billion union with SBC Communications Inc., according to sources familiar with the situation. Chicago-based Ameritech has placed a $2.5-billion price tag on the business, which is being offered for sale to privately held financial buyout firms, said the sources, who did not want to be identified. San Antonio-based SBC and Ameritech have acknowledged that they would likely be forced to divest some overlapping assets as part of their planned stock merger that was unveiled in May. Originally valued at $60 billion, the transaction is now worth some $80 billion because of an increase in SBC’s stock price. A spokesman for Ameritech declined to confirm that the Chicago wireless business was officially on the auction block.