Integration costs associated with Cingular Wireless' acquisition of AT&T Wireless took their toll on BellSouth's earnings in the second quarter, with net income dropping 20 percent. Cingular, now the largest US mobile phone carrier, accounts for 40 percent of BellSouth's overall profit. That's a higher percentage from wireless than any of the other regional carriers. Net income at BellSouth, the third-largest US telecommunications group, fell to $795 million, or 43 cents per share, from $996 million, or 54 cents per share. Excluding merger and other one-off costs, and including its share of Cingular, BellSouth earned $849 million, or 46 cents per share.
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