International Travelers Take Off With New Messaging Packages Delivering More Value, More Choice

DALLAS, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Want to share the family picture from in front of Big Ben? Or a video message from the top of the Eiffel Tower? Go ahead and hit "send." With the addition of two new global messaging packages, international travelers now have more freedom and flexibility to use messaging abroad just like they do at home.  

Available beginning today, AT&T's* new global messaging packages** allow travelers to share their experience using text, picture, video and instant messaging for one, low monthly rate from more than 100 countries. The new packages include:

• Global Messaging 200 — send 200 messages for $30/month
• Global Messaging 500 — send 500 messages for $50/month

With the new packages, customers benefit from significant savings compared to international roaming pay-per-use messaging rates, which cost travelers $.50 per message sent for text and instant messages, and $1.30 per message sent for picture and video messages. In contrast, with the Global Messaging 200 package, customers just pay $.15 per message sent.

"When our customers travel abroad, we want to deliver a wireless experience that's affordable and customized to fit their needs," said Mark Collins, senior vice president, Data and Voice Products, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Our Global Messaging 200 package lets travelers send a text, photo or video message for only $.15 a message – a great value and one we're excited to add to our international lineup."

The new additions reflect the increasing popularity of using mobile messaging to communicate from overseas. In a recent AT&T survey among international travelers, nearly two-thirds of respondents (65 percent) said they text from abroad, while nearly half (47 percent) stay in touch using picture and video messages.

As a global leader connecting travelers all around the world, AT&T remains the only major U.S. wireless carrier to offer low-cost international messaging packages when traveling in more than 100 countries – a complement to the broadest lineup of international-compatible phones, and the new global data plans announced earlier this year.

Customers may add one of the new packages to their current calling plan beginning today. For more information on other AT&T international services, including discount packages for voice, data and international long distance services, as well as travel tips, visit www.att.com/global.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

**Messaging allowance and overage rates apply to mobile-originated messages in more than 100 countries. Visit att.com/globalcountries for a list of included countries. Messages sent while roaming outside of included countries are billed at pay-per-use rate of $.50/msg for Text/Instant, and $1.30/msg for Picture/video. Messages received while roaming will be deducted from the customer's domestic messaging package, or, if the customer does not have a domestic messaging package, the messages will be billed at $.20 for a text/instant message, and $.30 for a picture/video message.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. 

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.