Overview
AT&T, formerly Cingular, is the largest telecommunications company in the United States. It deals in residential, business, and wireless communications. It merged with Bell South and Cingular to form one of the most innovative services in America today. They are based in Dallas, Texas.
Pros: Whether you need a personal cell phone, or you're a business user who needs to be able to work from his BlackBerry everywhere, AT&T has 31 plans in all different genres. Plan prices aren’t too bad, and new customers will like that they can add extras to their accounts at relatively low costs. If your plan doesn’t include it, you can still add it. You can choose from individual, prepaid, family, and data plans. The great thing is, AT&T allows unused minutes to roll over to the next month, and on many plans, you get unlimited nights and weekends.
Cons: There are additional costs to add another line to a family plan. Some plans include high over-minute costs, up to $0.45 per extra minute incurred. AT&T also includes one-time activation fees for every plan, although this is pretty standard across the board. If you want to get a family plan, there is an activation fee for every additional line you add. Like all wireless companies, some plans and phones may not be available in some areas.
Detailed Provider Information
Plans: There are seven individual plans. The ones in the Nation category range from $39.99 to $99.99, and include different features. The 450 minutes a month plan includes 5000 nights and weekends minutes and there are no long distance or roaming charges. All plans after the 450 minutes have unlimited evenings and weekends, and no long distance or roaming charges. You can get 900 for $59.99, 1350 minutes for $79.99, or unlimited minutes for $99.99. There is no eligibility check for these plans, but the Unity plans do require that you meet certain eligibility.
The Unity category encompasses plans that have existing AT&T lines. The plans allow you to make unlimited calls to and from AT&T landlines and wireless phones. There are two individual plans in this category. They include unlimited nights and weekends, and no long distance or roaming charges. The plans offer 900 and 1350 minutes a month, for $59.99 and $79.99, respectively. All individual plans require a $36.00 one-time activation fee.
AT&T provides family plans, as well, which allow families to share minutes and save money. Most plans include two lines, and then every line after that is $9.99, except for the unlimited minutes plan which costs $99.99 per additional line. Unfortunately, the number of lines is capped, depending on the plan you get. The Nation category has seven plans, ranging from 550 minutes to unlimited minutes per month. The 550-minute plan has a cap of three lines. Every plan after that has a cap of five lines. Prices range from $59.99 to $199.99 a month for the unlimited plan, which is $100 less than it used to be. All plans include unlimited nights and weekends (which is a relief for parents who want to be able to contact their children at any time), unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling, and no long distance or roaming charges.
The Unity category has six plans. They range in monthly minutes from 700 to 6000, and prices range from $69.99 to $299.99. Unlike the Nation plans, they all have a five-line cap. All the plans have a $36.00 one-time activation fee for the plan itself and a $26.00 activation fee for each additional line.
If you want to know more about AT&T’s prepaid plans, visit PrepaidReviews.com.
Customer Service: AT&T has several ways to serve their customers. You can participate in a technical support chat on their Customer forums, contact them by e-mail, go to the store to talk to a representative, or call them to talk about any problem you have.
Credit Check: A credit check is required for all plans.
Contract: The minimum contract length is 2 years. You must pay a $175 charge to break your contract with AT&T.
Payment Options: You can choose to pay online through AT&T’s Direct Billing option, which also allows you to review your account at any time. AT&T also allows you to pay by mail or through one of their many stores. You can pay by cash or credit card.
Text and Picture Messaging: Text messaging is included with some plans; with others, it can be added on. Text messages are capped at 160 characters. Video and picture messaging has a maximum of 300 KB.
Data Plans: AT&T has several data plans to choose from. You can learn more at BBGeeks.com.
Downloadables: You can choose to download ringtones, games, graphics, multimedia services, and more. Charges will apply on top of monthly charges.
International Calling: AT&T has several international calling options. You can choose to add international long distance to your plan for $3.99, which will allow you to enjoy discounted rates to countries you call often. Two plans are available for $4.99 that offer calling to and in Mexico and Canada . If you travel a lot, $5.99 a month gets you international service in over 200 countries. You can also choose to add international data plans to your BlackBerry or PDA for $24.99 to $199.99 a month.
Roaming Charges: There are no domestic roaming charges with any plan. There are international roaming charges depending on the country you’re in, even if you have a corresponding international calling plan.
Calling Features: You can choose to include call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID (if it’s not already included), early nights and weekends, voicemail, long distance, parental controls, mobile-to-mobile, six-way calling, three-way calling, or voice dial to your plan.
Activation Fee: For all voice plans, there is a one-time $36.00 activation fee. For family plans, you must pay $26.00 for each additional line.
Nationwide Long Distance: This is included with virtually all voice and data plans.
411 Calls: $1.79 plus airtime.
911 Calls: 911 calls are free.
Phones: Whether you are looking for a smart phone, a BlackBerry, or one of the other popular phone models available now, AT&T has something for you. Try the popular iPhone.
Motorola RAZR
Sony Ericsson models
Nokia 2600
Various BlackBerry models
Average Reviewer Rating
I recently switched from AT&T contract based plan because I just couldn't keep up with the exorbitant monthly bills, not to mention their mediocre at best customer service. This time I went for prepaid mobile phone which i bought at Wal Mart. The plan is Straight Talk and though the phone is a no bells-and-whistles cell, it's perfect for texting and talking. The plan comes with unlimited calls, unlimited text, unlimited web access for just $45. By far the best plan out there right now.
I have nothing good to say about AT&T Wireless. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio and AT&T's 3G coverage and service here is terrible. I am on my second Blackberry phone and am constantly getting dropped calls at all times of the day and night, poor voice quality where there is crackling and static when I attempt to make a call, the voice constantly cuts out and sounds garbled, there are many times when I don't receive voice or text messages for a day or two, and there are many dead zones. On top of all this, the 3G network will go down periodically through the week. It's ridiculous and I am at the end of my rope. I pay $100 a month for this kind of service. I have called customer service and tech support numerous times and am always given the run around. Nothing is ever fixed. I'm on my second phone and the problems are still happening. My phone isn't the problem, it's their poorly managed network that they refuse to spend any money on to upgrade or add towers. Believe me, AT&T does not care about customers, it's about getting the money. I never had these kind of problems with Verizon and Sprint.
In every bill they charge additional money. Your bill never come normal. You should give at least 4 hours per month to talk to AT&T people to fix your problem, very stressed. Customer Service worst, very impolite. Once a customer service guy became enraged at me, very funny. You have to wait long hours on call. The plans and rates are very confusing. They charge two month bills for data plan in first month. They try to cheat you and grab your money wherever and whenever they can. I am Switching to Verizon.
Being handicapped, and retired, my wife and I started with AT&T sometime ago, now we can no longer afford the poor service, and dropped calls. At $@300.00 per month I can not get the dropped calls, nor poor reception remeeded, and they could careless; Tech. support, yeah, right. They have jacked me long enough, look-up" Materially Adverse", people cause this may be their wake-up call. BAD DOG !!!!!!!!!
NOTHING BUT DROPPED CALL BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE DONT BUY A PHONE FROM AT&T MY HUSBAND AND I ARE GOING TO VERIZON THIS IS WHY GM WENT DOWN BAD SERVICE YOUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED.
AT&T SERVICE IS THE WORST WE HAVE NEVER BEEN LATE WITH A PAYMENT MOVED TO A NEW ADDRESS AFTER 8 YEARS AT THE LAST ONE LATE BY MAIL BEING REROUTED TO NEW ADDRESS THEY TURNED OUR PHONE OFF WE PAY $150.00 A MO AND NEVER LATE GO TO VERIZON WE HAD THEM AND THIS NEVER HAPPENED SWITCHING TODAY THEY SUCK.
AT&T has been decent in this area, though there are alot of areas where the calls just randomly drop or signal is weak on one phone but on another it's strong. Driving around and using network functions is a hit or miss proposition.
Unreliable service along north green oaks blvd in far north Arlington, Tx close to the trinity river Very poor - one bar to zero bars; numerous dropped / uncompleted calls
AT&T provided excellent customer service--on a holiday!
I bought an iPhone in February. Very soon afterward, I started receiving calls for the woman who had the number before me. Calls from random people at all hours of the night, bill collectors, and even a call from a bail bondsman who practically interrogated me over the phone to make sure I wasn't actually her trying to fool him. The last straw was on Easter when I got a text from a guy saying, "Hey baby, just got out of jail." I thought I'd be nice, so I texted back and said it wasn't so-and-so's number anymore. He texted back a profanity-laden, threatening message. I called AT&T right then. Even though it was Easter, I was able to get through to a real person, quickly and easily. I explained the situation, and asked for a new number. The CSR apologized, was very helpful and friendly, and changed the number immediately. She also waived the usual $36 fee they charge for number changes because of the circumstances. I don't get any wrong number calls anymore, or any texts from jail.
very unsatisfied with at&t service. i am not the only customer in this area that has suddenly lost service. this company chooses to just double talk the situation,and offer no reason for the sudden drop in the service. if this cannot be corrected the contracts should be invalid! if all these customers don't pay thier bill wouldn't they be in default of thier contract?? i rated one star because i couldn't rate any lower! at&t customers beware don't expect any resolve to service problems as you will only get the runaround.
I know it's asking too much of any big corporation, but I insist that anybody I do business with have a desire to build relationship with customers, not just get whatever they can from customers. AT&T has inherited Apple's bait-and-switch and exhorbidant hidden charge and cusomer gouging philosophy. When I signed up for my AT&T plan they told me I could get an iPhone 3g at the contract price in mid-contract by simply renewing the contract for another two years. When it came time for me to buy the 3g, they told me I had to wait until my contract expired. Typical Apple bait-and-switch.
One thing I do know is don't buy the LG Vu or CU920 it sucks if you don't live in a big city!!!!!!
if you are looking for service and reliability, don't switch to ATT. i have been dissapointed with their service. i have been having dropped calls and not signal on my phone for a few days now and they having been able to help me. i called to terminate the contract with them,but they want to charge, when the problem is their service. but my only solution will be to pay and not give them my business again.
If there was an option for zero stars I would choose that. This service is horrible, I drop 4 out of 5 calls. I could have full reception and then I have none. At first I thought it was just my phone. I than recently moved to a bigger city in Illinois and I have no reception ANYWHERE! I have friends with US cellular who have full bars where I have none. My suggestion would be NOT TO GET THIS SERVICE!! It is useless.
My service just keeps getting worse and worse. They say I have coverage in my area and I keep telling them I don't. I haave dropped calls, undelivered voice mails, no service.
I have had too much problmes with at&t.
I got two junk phones that cost 200.00 and cant use them, they won't fix them, claiming it was my fault.
they charged me 127.00 without giving me the option.
never received the second rebate.
was ignored when I called by phone and email..
I don't recommend at&t to anyone.
Overall cell coverage is good but data coverage is spotty I go in and out of 3G areas pretty frequently. However when I travel coverage is always better in bigger cities.
I'm not really big on sifting through the details of all the plans. For me, most important is just being able to GET RECEPTION everywhere I go, which is a lot of places. I also live in a rather hilly area.
AT&T (I came in thru Cingular) is the one and only service I've tried (also tried Sprint, Verizon) that gives me good if not great reception pretty much everywhere I go.
Plus, I am a fan of the 450 minutes plan.
Love my IPhone. Service is great. Can talk, surf the net, get directions and store all my songs, pictures etc.
I like the rolloever minutes feature which has really helped us.