Goldman Sachs's decision to advise NTTDoCoMo, Japan's biggest mobile phone company, instead of its long-term client Vodafone, has paid off as Cingular Wireless clinched AT&T Wireless ahead of Vodafone in a $41bn (€31.9bn) auction.

NTTDoCoMo will sell its 16% stake in AT&T Wireless to Cingular, which landed AT&T Wireless with a $15 a share cash bid on Tuesday following the withdrawal of Vodafone from the bidding.