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AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless)

AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless)

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Product summary

AT&T is the biggest wireless carrier in the United States, with 62 million subscribers.

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Reviewed by: Kent German

Reviewed on 2/12/07

Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section. The more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.

AT&T is the biggest wireless carrier in the United States, with 62 million subscribers. Today it offers a widespread network and arguably the largest and most varied selection of cell and smart phones. Originally formed in 2001 as Cingular Wireless, it changed its name to AT&T in 2007 to reflect its parent company. In 2004, Cingular acquired the now defunct AT&T Wireless.

Things you should know:

This carrier offers an unlimited calling plan.
AT&T's "rollover" plans let you roll unused minutes over to the following month.
A GSM carrier, AT&T offers extensive international roaming.
Customers can pay an extra fee to expand night and weekend hours.
AT&T tends to pick up the hottest phones soon after their release date. It was the first carrier to offer the Motorola Razr and is the exclusive provider of the Apple iPhone.
Offers the most Sony Ericsson and Nokia phones of the major carriers but also offers LG and Samsung handsets. Has a varied selection of smart phones and is the largest provider of BlackBerry service.
Every carrier claims they have the best network, and AT&T boasts that independent studies have shown that it has the fewest dropped calls of any wireless carrier. Tell us what you think in the user opinions section.
High-speed 3G networks are limited to urban areas.

Fast facts:

Subscribers: 62 million
Coverage: Though AT&T provides coverage in every state, reception will vary due sharply based on the user's location. Through roaming agreements it also provides service in more than 190 countries.
Technology: GSM, GPRS, EDGE
3G network: Yes, UMTS and HSDPA
Streaming video service: Yes, AT&T Video
Music download service: Yes, AT&T Music
Push-to-talk service: Available, depending on phone model
Analog roaming: No
Prepaid plans: Yes
Family plans: Yes

	AT&T	T-Mobile	Sprint Nextel	Verizon Wireless
Coverage map	AT&T coverage map	T-Mobile coverage map	Sprint Nextel coverage map	Verizon Wireless coverage map
Technology	GSM; GPRS; EDGE	GSM; GPRS: EDGE	CDMA; 1xRTT; iDEN	CDMA; 1xRTT
3G network	Yes, UMTS, EV-DO	No (coming in 2007)	Yes, EV-DO	Yes, EV-DO
Data plans	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Streaming video network	Yes, AT&T Video	No	Yes, Sprint Power Vision	Yes, Verizon V Cast
Music download service	Yes, AT&T Music	No	Yes, Sprint Music Store	Yes, V Cast Wireless Music
Push-to-Talk	Available, depending on phone model	No	Available, depending on phone model	Available, depending on phone model
Analog roaming	No	No	Yes	Yes
Prepay plans	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Family plans	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

	U.S. Cellular	Alltel	MetroPCS
Coverage map	U.S. Cellular coverage map	Alltel coverage map	MetroPCS coverage map
Technology	CDMA; 1xRTT	CDMA; 1xRTT	CDMA; 1xRTT
3G network	No	Yes, EV-DO	No
Data plans	Yes	Yes	No
Streaming video network	No	Yes	No
Music download service	No	No	No
Push-to-Talk	Available, depending on phone model	Available, depending on phone model	No
Analog roaming	Yes	Yes	Yes
Prepay plans	Yes	Yes	No
Family plans	Yes	Yes	No