AT&T Corp. also told analysts it plans to push a calling party pays program for its wireless customers, as well as a dual-band, dual-mode handset with extended battery time.
AT&T said it plans this year to offer its wireless customers the new Nokia 6160, a Time Division Multiple Access handset dual-mode, dual-band version that operates at 800 MHz and 1.9 GHz. With an extended lithium-ion battery, the handset weighs 4.8 ounces and offers up to three hours of digital talk time and up to eight days of digital standby time, Nokia Mobile Phones said.
During the second half of the year, AT&T also plans to introduce a new calling party pays billing plan that eliminates charges for incoming calls to its wireless customers nationwide.
In fixed wireless telephony-seen by industry analysts as a means of competing for local wireline customers here and providing local service in countries where none exists-“Project Angel” is proceeding as planned, said Ken Woo, AT&T Wireless Services Inc. external communications manager.
Meanwhile, AT&T’s other strategy for entering local wireline markets-acquiring competitive local exchange carrier Teleport Communications Group-is moving forward.
