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 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*, 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**. 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, in the press release. “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 (http://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.
For more information about international coverage and rates, customers can visit www.att.com/wirelessinternational or call 866-MOBILITY.
*The discounted data roaming package rate applies in: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, The Netherlands, Netherland Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom and Vatican City.
**Rate outside the 67 discounted countries is $.010/KB except in Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Brunei, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macau, Macedonia (former Yugoslavia), Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Venezuela, where the rate is $0.0195/KB.
Source: AT&T
Looks like these guys are learning from Rogers. Those rates are outrageous!
…and mind you, for >120$/month extra, you get 100MB of DISCOUNTED, not even included data.
Just make that iPhone lock-free and we’re all good.
MW works; yeah, works, but for whom?
The only thing [AT&T;-] has worked diligently on is determining just how deep a price gouge the market will bear for Apple’s cute trinket.
I think the prices are worth it. The iPhone is a phenomenon. People should be happy they have the opportunity to purchase the phone let alone get international calling capabilities at all!
I mean come on. Calling Japan is fun.
Calling Japan on an iPhone is an experience!
Fifth!
Ah, to be rich…
Watch out!
AT&T;told me when I went to Germany in August that the data cap is prorated if you cut it off before the end of the month.
That means if you go overseas for two weeks and cut off the service at the end of those two weeks, you do NOT get the full month’s worth of data cap! You’ll only get half of it, since you cut it off at half the month.
There are still land mines in these plans!
The problem with global roaming is that it’s typically done by business users with deep pockets, so the phone companies know they can charge these exorbitant rates. It’s the same reason why getting an airline flight for a weekend is cheap and getting one for a weekday is often expensive.
John McZune
They didn’t change the voice-calling rates, just the international data packages. I used the 20MB data package in China, and I watched my data use like a hawk. With careful monitoring I used about 2MB a day while traveling 10 days. Next time I’d get the 50MB plan, so I wouldn’t need to be so careful. Google Maps was great, but it uses alot of data. With all the new iApps, I’ll have to study my data usage to see whether I need to go to 100MB. Honestly, when traveling, having a computer in your pocket is indispensable. It’s your guidebook, your map, your phone, your email, your reservation system, your way home.
Such a deal already Jacob.
@Anonymous©
“It’s your guidebook, your map, your phone, your email, your reservation system, your way home.”
And, in my case, your phrasebook. Or better yet, your foreign language lesson teacher.
Mindless troll begone.