Tuesday, August 26, 2008

USA - roaming with AT&T iPhone

AT&T Expands International Data Offerings for iPhone

AT&T Inc. today announced expanded international data offerings to help keep iPhone customers connected around the world. Beginning tomorrow, AT&T will offer two new plans that accommodate iPhone customers' increasing reliance on data services while traveling abroad. The two new plans, which offer 100 megabytes (MB) or 200 MB a month, can potentially save customers hundreds of dollars compared to pay-per-use international data roaming charges.

For discounted international data usage in 67 countries,1 the 100 MB iPhone plan is available for an additional $119.99 a month, while the 200 MB plan costs an additional $199.99 a month.2 These new plans are in addition to existing plans for smartphones, including iPhone, which offer 20 MB and 50 MB in the same countries. There are no long-term commitments required, so customers can add or remove these plans to their existing packages on an as-needed basis.

"AT&T has worked diligently to provide affordable options for international roaming because the feature-rich mobile experience of iPhone is indispensable to users," said Bill Hague, executive vice president of International for AT&T's wireless operations. "With these new international data plans, iPhone users can access more data in more countries for less cost."

With the largest global footprint of any wireless provider, only AT&T customers can make and receive calls in more than 200 countries and send e-mail and browse the Web in more than 150 countries, including more than 60 countries with high speed third-generation (3G) coverage. AT&T also offers voice and data coverage on 120 major cruise ships.

iPhone 3G is one of more than 40 world devices AT&T offers, more than any other U.S. wireless service provider. AT&T customers can take their new iPhone 3G devices around the world, including Japan and South Korea, which require a device that operates on 2100 MHz.

With access to full HTML e-mail, visual voice mail, enhanced Web browsing and other feature-rich applications that can use a significant amount of data, iPhone users may need more than they think while traveling abroad. Just 2 MB of data use at pay-per-use data rates of $0.0195 per kilobyte would cost almost $40, making these new plans very valuable for customers traveling outside the U.S.

iPhone customers can also save money by following some simple tips, including keeping data roaming in the preset off position, using Wi-Fi when possible, turning off automatic checks for e-mail and setting the usage tracker to zero at the beginning of a trip to monitor use.

To help travelers stay connected and manage their wireless costs, AT&T offers a variety of resources. AT&T's Travel Guide (www.att.com/travelguide) allows customers to create an itinerary with rate information for up to 10 international destinations as well as review discounted voice and data packages.

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