TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AT&T;, Ericsson Get $450-Million Cellular Order: AT&T; Corp.’s McCaw Cellular unit said it placed the order for wireless communications equipment with its parent AT&T; and Sweden’s LM Ericsson telecommunications group, giving the two an early jump on rival telephone equipment makers. The order from Kirkland, Wash.-based McCaw was one of the most significant deals to date to provide equipment for the next generation of wireless communications, known as personal communications services. While not unexpected by industry analysts, McCaw’s decision to stick with wireless equipment, using a technology called time division multiple access, gives the technology an early lead over rival code division multiple access technology.