AT&T, VZW battle over international data offerings

Just in time for the 2008 Olympics set to kick off in China later this week the nation’s two largest carriers expanded their international data plans.
AT&T Mobility introduced two new plans, one for smartphone users and one for PC card users. The new smartphone bundle will feature 50 megabytes of data transmission available in 67 countries for an additional $60 per month on top of a current domestic data package; the LaptopConnect plan provides 5 GB of data transmission in the United States, plus 200 MB in 67 countries from $230 per month. (Until now, data packages were only compatible in 41 countries.)
Along with the plans, AT&T Mobility expanded its global voice and data coverage with international data roaming in more than 150 countries, up from the previous 145 countries. The carrier also increased its roaming coverage to 120 cruise ships (previously it was 75 ships). And in light of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the carrier will offer new global GPS navigation and turn-by-turn GPS directions in China’s six Olympic cities, as well as Western Europe and North America.
Coincidentally, Verizon Wireless launched a new global mobile wireless broadband Internet program for its laptop customers. Gobi, Verizon Wireless’s new module from Qualcomm Inc., will work with the carrier’s GlobalAccess and BroadbandAccess services to offer streamlined global mobile broadband access in 125 nations, on both CDMA and GSM networks. BroadbandAccess is the carrier’s high-speed wireless data service for customers traveling inside the U.S. GlobalAccess features an international PC card or laptop with embedded BroadbandAccess, allowing customers to connect to the Internet and e-mail when outside the States. The new service will allow customers to switch to the GSM protocol via the device’s connection manager.
BroadbandAccess is available for $40 per month with a 50 MB allowance, or for $60 per month with a 5 GB allowance. GlobalAccess is available for $130 per month, and provides 5 GB allowance in the U.S. and Canada; a 100-MB allowance in Mexico; and the ability to connect in certain locations worldwide for 2 cents per kilobyte. Occasional travelers have the option of a pay-per-use GlobalAccess plan for $60 per month, with 5 GB in the U.S. and rates of 2 cents per KB in Canada, 5 cents per KB in Mexico and 2 cents per KB in 125 other destinations.