AT&T's cheapest international data-roaming plan currently requires globetrotting subscribers to pay $24.99 for 20MB. Under the new plan going into effect on July 17, however, international travelers will receive a 50MB data allowance for the same price.
"We've long offered more phones that can be used internationally than our competitors, and now we're delivering industry-leading value with redesigned international data packages," said AT&T Executive Vice President Bill Hague.
Other Data-Roaming Options
The data caps for AT&T's higher-priced global roaming plans will rise from 50MB, 100MB and 200MB currently to 125MB, 275MB and 800MB, respectively. However, pricing for the three new data package tiers will remain the same at $49.99, $99.99 and $199.99.
International travelers who exceed their data caps will be charged $10 for each 10MB of excess usage beginning Sunday. Under the old pricing system, users had to pay a surcharge of $5 per extra MB, so the cost of 10MB of excess usage was five times higher.
AT&T subscribers traveling abroad will still find it far cheaper to seek out the nearest Wi-Fi hot spot. But in locations where hot spots are unavailable, the more generous AT&T data-roaming plans will make it considerably cheaper for users to stay connected.
On Tuesday, AT&T unveiled a new high-speed data accessory with global roaming capabilities that automatically switches between high speed packet access plus (HSPA+) and next generation LTE systems. Following this summer's launch of the Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, globetrotting users will be able to connect their laptops, smartphones, and tablets to the dozens of HSPA+ systems already in operation across Europe.
The gadget could particularly come in handy for families and small groups roaming overseas. "It works like any Wi-Fi hotspot," said AT&T spokesperson Seth Bloom.
Requiring no special software, the device's LCD screen displays the requisite Wi-Fi network name and security key. Once all authorized devices are connected to the gadget, users located in public places can safeguard their systems by turning off the LCD via the accessory's web user interface.
"They can also select not to display the Wi-Fi Key on the LCD so that they can still view all the other device status information while protecting the Wi-Fi Key info," Bloom said. "This option is also accessible via the web UI."
A Tablet Exclusive
Sony's new dual-screen media tablet, which is slated for launch later this year, will be exclusively offered in the United States by AT&T, the wireless carrier said Wednesday. Code-named the Sony Tablet S2, the device will deliver Wi-Fi access to AT&T's 20,000 hot spots across the nation and will also feature high-speed HSPA+ broadband capabilities.
"Users will be treated to exceptional graphics and the touch-screen capabilities will enable a fast and efficient web site experience," said AT&T Vice President David Haight.
AT&T has also agreed to become a sponsor of Amazon's Kindle 3G with Special Offers. Priced at $139, the e-reading device presents money-saving special offers and sponsored screen savers but is otherwise identical to the $189 Kindle 3G, which is by far the fastest-growing connected device on the AT&T network.
"We consistently hear from customers how much they enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a Wi-Fi hotspot and instead being able to download and read new books anytime, anywhere," said Ralph de la Vega, the CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.
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