EWeek

AT&T Wireless Debuts GoPhone

By Carmen Nobel

AT&T Wireless on Monday formally introduced a new service for customers who either have iffy credit histories or just don't like dealing with contracts.

GoPhone offers unlimited night and weekend calling, domestic long distance, and roaming from AT&T Wireless' national service area.

It requires neither a credit check or long-term contract, said officials at AT&T Wireless in Redmond, Wash. Instead, a customer just buys a phone from one of several retail stores and activates it immediately.

GoPhone automatically deducts a set fee from a customer's bank account, credit card, or debit card every thirty days, or when a customer's account reaches $5, whichever comes first.

When a customer's balance falls below $10, and again at $7, AT&T Wireless sends a warning text message right to the phone.

The GoPhone phone is Nokia Corp.'s 3590, which supports both voice and data services on AT&T Wireless' GSM/GPRS (global system for mobile communications/general packet radio service) network. It costs $89.99 off the shelf at some 10,000 stories nationwide, including Target, 7-11, CompUSA, Staples, Ritz Camera, and AT&T Wireless' own retails stores.

Calling plans range from $19.99 to $49.99 a month.