AT&T has decided that wireless and landline communications are all the same thing and decided to put one executive in charge of both its wireless and consumer fixed-line phone businesses.

The idea is that the move will make it easier for the company to hold off competition from cable companies. If landlines and wireless are bundled together it makes for a better package, something that up until now had been the sole domain of the cable companies.

Ralph de la Vega, previously head of the AT&T Mobility wireless division, will now assume responsibility for the consumer fixed-line business as well

Cable companies have made great inroads in taking wireline phone customers from phone companies.