NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - AT&T plans to abandon the Cingular brand name for its cell phone service as early as 2007, according to a magazine report.

The company says it is making the change to reduce customer confusion about its brands, and will rename the division "AT&T Wireless," according to Advertising Age.

AT&T (Research) wants to sell customers bundled landline, Internet and wireless services under the same brand.

Advertising experts say the move could bring heavy marketing costs, as much as $500 million each year for several years, the report said.

AT&T first announced plans to shed the Cingular name after its merger with SBC closed in November 2005.

______________

BlackBerry maker put on patent defensive again. Full story here.