Wireless Internet Reviews
AT&T DataConnect Mobile Broadband Service
Overview
Serving over seventeen million customers, AT&T - formerly Cingular - is the second largest wireless carrier in the United States. AT&T's corporate headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas.
In 2005, AT&T Wireless merged with Cingular Wireless and began operations solely under the Cingular name and brand. In 2005, Cingular was acquired by the original AT&T and re-branded as "the new AT&T", putting the old Cingular brand and reputation to rest.
Pros: The DataConnect plan offers more global coverage than any other mobile broadband company in the United States, making this a top choice for frequent international travelers. Additionally, almost all of the modems they offer can be obtained for free with contract service.
Cons: AT&T DataConnect plans may only be used with AT&T certified LaptopConnect cards. The pricing plans are a bit complicated and even if you sign up for a two year contract you have to pay a $36.00 activation fee.
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Detailed Provider Information
Plans: AT&T DataConnect mobile broadband service offers three main service plans. The first is called DataConnect and costs $60.00 per month. The plan includes five gigabytes of bandwidth a month without the option to purchase additional bandwidth. The second plan is called DataConnect North America and costs $109.99 per month. This offers the same coverage and bandwidth as the regular DataConnect plan, but also offers coverage of up to 100 megabytes per month in Mexico and Canada. Anything over 100 megabytes costs $.015 per kilobyte in Canada and Mexico. The third plan available is DataConnect Global which costs $139.99 a month. This includes everything that the DataConnect North America plan does, except that the 100 megabytes per month available for use in Canada and Mexico can be used in select locations globally. Anything over 100 megabytes is at an additional cost of $.0195 per kilobyte.
Customer Service: Customer service for AT&T DataConnect is available via a toll free number, email or at any AT&T retail location.
Credit Check: Yes
Contract: Yes, there is a two year contract requirement for mobile wireless plans.
Payment Options: Payments can be made online through the AT&T website, by telephone via a toll free number, by auto-payment which automatically charges your credit card, at any AT&T retail location or by postal mail.
Bandwidth Restrictions: Speeds can range between a data transfer speed of 600-1400kbps.
Activation Fee: There is an activation fee of $36.00 to begin AT&T wireless internet service.
Cancellation Fee: The maximum cancellation fee for discontinuing your AT&T DataConnect service while still under contract is $175.00. Please note, the cost will go down the further into the contract that you cancel. AT&T will credit the $175.00 cancellation fee by $5.00 for each full month of service you've received and paid for during the contract.
Roaming Charges: The AT&T DataConnect plans have no roaming charges in the United States. However, any usage over 100 megabytes outside of the United States included in your plan will cost between $.015 and $.0195 per kilobyte depending on where you use it.
Modems and PC Cards: AT&T offers various PC cards (also known as air cards) ranging from free (with mail-in rebates and discounts) to $49.99. AT&T also offers USB keys that usually end up being free due to contract discounts and mail-in rebates.
Some of the Available Modems and PC Cards are listed below:
AT&T USBConnect 881 USB Key (shown)
Sierra Wireless AirCard 881 (PC Card)
Option GT Ultra Express ExpressCard
Option GT Max 3.6 Express (Refurb)
Coverage Map: AT&T DataConnect Coverage Map
SPete22Waste of time. AT&T are useless shipped me two bad cards and tried to charge me for both. Speeds are very unreliable when driving round town.
Alice BarnesAT&T have the best 3G coverage probably because of the iPhone. I got the new Mercury USB stick, love it.
JPOverpriced. I went with Verizon much cheaper and better service in my mind.
johnI was able to use ATT wireless from a friend's account and computer while being a passenger and drove around San Francisco and through hwy 80 near Berkeley. Data connection was excellent and consistent thoughout. I'm thinking of signing up, but $60 still too much for me; $40 is my ideal monthly cost. I got a little excited when I read JP's "Verizon much cheaper" review, but it turned out only by 1 cent, Verizon is $59.99 and ATT is $60. The only cheaper service is Cricket, but does not cover my area :( I'd rate it 5 star for quality, but 4 star for value
