SEATTLE-A week after being spun off as an independent wireless operator, AT&T Wireless launched its GSM/GPRS network in Seattle, the first market for the carrier’s planned technology overlay of its current TDMA network.
Using Motorola Inc.’s Timeport wireless handset, combined data and voice services begin at $50 per month, including a 1-Megabyte allocation for data and a bucket of 400 voice minutes. Additional data use is billed at less than 1 cent per kilobyte, and is only charged when data is sent or received.
AT&T Wireless plans to deploy GSM/GPRS to cover approximately 40 percent of its potential customer base this year, and through its entire network by next year.
“We are committed to bring customers advanced wireless services that are affordable and easy to use, and today we are delivering on that promise,” said Mohan Gyani, president and chief executive officer for AT&T Wireless’ mobility unit. “These advanced services will be available to millions of our customers by the end of this year.”
