AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega will head a new unit combining the operator’s existing mobile and business solutions units, while insider Glenn Lurie takes over de la Vega’s old post.

The move acknowledges the central role of mobile services in the enterprise market. More than 50 per cent of AT&T Mobility’s revenue comes from corporate customers.

Other competitors are manoeuvring to more effectively develop mobile services for the same market, for instance the recent partnership struck between Apple and IBM.

In a company statement, AT&T said it had been integrating various functions from its fixed and mobile operations for several years, including network, technology and customer care. The current integration of marketing and distribution for business solutions into the mobility unit is the logical, next step, the statement said.

The reshuffle was first reported by Fierce Wireless.

De la Vega was previously AT&T Mobility’s CEO and now has the new title of CEO of AT&T’s Mobile & Business Solutions Group.

Meanwhile, Glenn Lurie becomes president and CEO of the mobile unit. He was previously president of AT&T Mobility’s Emerging Enterprises and Partnerships.

The existing head of the operator’s business solutions unit Andy Geisse is retiring after 35 years with the company.