AOL Mobile debuts on AT&T's PocketNet service

A deal between America Online Inc. (AOL) and AT&T has brought AOL Mobile to AT&T Wireless' digital PocketNet service. AOL will have top placement in the Portals channel of the PocketNet service premium offer. The service will now deliver access to popular AOL features such as e-mail, news, weather, and stock quotes, as well as content from some of AOL's other consumer-friendly brands, including Digital City, MapQuest, and MovieFone.

The agreement marks the next step in the "AOL Anywhere" multi-platform strategy to extend the company's brands as well as its features and services to members anywhere, anytime, and at any speed on emerging interactive platforms beyond the PC. With AOL members spending more than an hour online each day, the agreement gives them another way to be connected wherever they are in AT&T's wireless data footprint.

"E-mail has become a way of life for many, as has relying on the Internet for a huge range of information, services and e-commerce," said Tom Trinneer, vice president, data product development, AT&T Wireless Services. "The need for mobile access to e-mail and the Web continues to drive the adoption of wireless devices. We've addressed this need by allowing millions of AOL members and other mobile consumers to send and receive e-mail from their phones, without worrying about minutes of usage. With our flat-rate pricing plans and extensive nationwide footprint, we're excited to be offering mobile access to AOL's popular features and services."

The browser is built into the phone, so there is no special software to download to get started. From the phone's opening screen, premium customers select "AOL" from the Portals menu to access the e-mail, stocks, sports, news, weather, local and directions content areas. AOL members will need to sign in with their screen name and password to access e-mail and their personal stock portfolios. Members can also personalize their news, sports, and weather information.

Edited by Ellen Jensen
Managing Editor, Wireless Networks Online