AT&T Wireless Services Inc.’s Wireless Data Division introduced a new monthly flat-rate pricing system for unlimited wireless data transfer on its Cellular Digital Packet Data network.
The company offers two plans in place of its per-kilobyte transfer pricing model of the past. The Local Unlimited plan offers customers a monthly rate of $55 for unlimited transfer. An additional 5 cents per kilobyte roaming fee is included when used in markets outside AT&T’s wireless IP service. A National Unlimited plan also is available for $65 a month, with no roaming charges.
“This is the second bold pricing move in a month for AT&T,” said Kendra VanderMeulen, senior vice president and general manager of the Wireless Data Division. “We put a major stake in the ground with the introduction of Digital One Rate service … Now we are taking a similar step with these unlimited pricing plans for our wireless data customers.”
Customers can use AT&T’s network to transfer wireless data for applications such as e-mail, remote local area network and corporate intranet access. The plans are designed for customers who use a wireless IP-compatible modem on their laptop or palmtop computers, personal digital assistants or other portable computing devices.
AT&T said customers who send and receive an average of one megabyte of data a month will find value in the new plans.
“Flat pricing offers a user the ability to accurately budget for communication needs,” said Roberta Wiggins, director of Wireless Mobile Communications at the Yankee Group. “This is definitely a step in the right direction.”
The new rate plans are effective immediately, and subscribers will have to pay a one-time $5 activation fee for each subscriber unit-with a required minimum one-year service contract.
