AT&T Wireless expands GPRS coverage

AT&T Wireless has expanded its general packet radio service (GPRS) wireless network beyond Seattle to customers in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Portland, Ore.

Consumers and business customers in the carrier's current four GPRS markets initially will use the Motorola Timeport wireless phone, which costs $199.99. However, additional phones, wireless modems and personal digital assistants are expected to be available in the near future.

Customers will be allowed to select from a variety of AT&T Wireless Mobile Internet voice and data packages starting at $50 a month for 400 voice minutes and one megabyte of data storage space. Incremental data use above the allocation is billed at less than one cent per kilobyte.

AT&T Wireless plans to launch GPRS service in Detroit within the next several weeks. The carrier hopes to be in markets representing approximately 40% of the population it serves this year, and markets that cover 100% by the end of 2002. AT&T Wireless plans to launch third-generation service--or Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)--in the last half of 2002. UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) roll out is scheduled to begin in 2003.

--Kelly Carroll, staff writer