BT has dismissed a report that it is toying with the idea of merging with AT&T.

The Wall Street Journal claims that AT&T's chairman, C Michael Armstrong, and BT CE Sir Peter Bonfield have discussed the matter privately.

No formal talks have started but if such a move were to go ahead, it would create a monster telco valued a smidge under $200 billion.

The fact that these guys are talking shouldn't raise any eyebrows. The two head honchos meet from time to time to catch up on news about their corporate-facing joint venture telco, Concert.

Who knows what they might have said behind closed doors? They could have talked about the weather, sports, boy bands and that "Nasty Nick" off Big Brother - in fact anything to pass the time.

Anyhow, a spokeswoman for BT said the company didn't comment on rumour or speculation. ®