Data, From Zed to AT&T

AT&T Wireless PocketNet users are getting more bang for their bucks after Monday’s news that Sonera Zed U.S. had inked a deal with the carrier to provide more than 50 new services or content areas via the Finnish company’s Wireless Entertainment Network.

Zed’s WEN (www.zed.com) contains services such as instant messaging, stock quotes, weather, directories, ring tones, horoscopes, games and comics. The MyZed function allows subscribers to combine their favorite functions into a customized menu.

The new service costs $6.99 per quarter, $11.99 every six months or $19.99 per year.

AT&T Wireless (www.attws.com) is the first major U.S. carrier to adopt Zed’s service; foreign carriers using similar services offered by Sonera Zed include KPN (www.kpn.com), MobileOne (www.m1.com), Turkcell (www.turkcell.com), Vodafone (www.vodafone.com) and others.

Paul Hughes, COO of Sonera Zed U.S., said the deal with AT&T Wireless is a revenue-sharing situation. Early wireless data services in the U.S. tried many revenue models, including wireless advertising to support free content for subscribers.

“Now, it’s all about the money,” Hughes said. “We’re looking at Japan and Europe. We want to help lead the vanguard. With Zed being a global forerunner, there was skepticism. But now the response is great.”

Zed is in negotiations with other U.S. carriers on deals that should be complete by the end of this year, he said.

Although content and applications are being added to wireless data services daily by U.S. carriers, Hughes said Zed’s WEN is different. As a portal, it allows interactive cross-functionality.

“Once a user gets into the portal, we offer seamless navigation,” he explained. “When you look up a restaurant, a directory is a few clicks away and you can add that restaurant to your list of contacts, or send the information to a friend using instant messaging - all without leaving the Wireless Entertainment Network.”

AT&T Wireless spokesperson Jeremy Pemble said Tuesday the deal brings the total number of available PocketNet applications to 170.

“We are very pleased to be working with Zed,” Pemble said. “They are one of the leading companies in providing innovative data solutions worldwide. We are their first big foray into the U.S. market.”