| CARRIER | COVERAGE | RATES | DATA SERVICES
|
| AT&T WIRELESS | Top 100 U.S. markets | 600 minutes for $89.99 | News from the likes of CNN delivered to any phone. |
| Web-browsing works only on certain old phones. Enhanced Web service using a digital Mitsubishi phone probably won't be ready until 2000. For data, wait until AT&T works out the kinks. |
| SPRINT PCS | Top 100 U.S. markets | 600 minutes for $69.99 | Links to popular portals like Yahoo!,
e-mail, and travel
updates. Phone acts
as wireless modem. |
|
If you want to do the Net thing from your handset,
Sprint's your best bet. It has a lineup of 10 nifty Web-
phones and leads rivals in e-mail and stock-trading.
|
| NEXTEL | 92 of the top 100 U.S. markets | 600 minutes for $89.95 | E-mail, news, and stock alerts can be sent to your phone. |
|
It's a bummer that a Web connection won't be ready
until early 2000. Still, the unique ''walkie-talkie''
and built-in speaker are a bonus for work teams.
|
| VODAPHONE AIRTOUCH | 22 of the top 30 markets in 25 states | 250 minutes for $49.99 per month |
Phone acts as a wireless modem in some markets.
|
|
Web browsing is coming in early 2000 to areas in Michigan, Utah, and Washington State. The limited coverage is a downer.
|
| GTE WIRELESS | 34 of the top 50 markets spanning 18 states | 650 minutes for $95 |
Some phones can function as a modem and will soon let you browse the Web.
|
|
An early Web service was a bust. Select markets like
Seattle and San Francisco will get an updated service
in late November.
|
| BELL ATLANTIC | Top markets in nine Eastern states, including New York | 600 minutes for $59.99 when calling from the carrier's area
|
Wireless modem service and e-mail.
|
|
Set to merge with GTE, analysts believe its Net service
is likely to be spotty until the deal is closed. Steer clear
until after the merger.
|
| SBC WIRELESS | Nine of the top 10 U.S. markets, spanning 13 states | 540 minutes for $39.95 when calling from your home area
|
An "Info Pak" service delivers updates such as news and stocks.
|
|
Curiously, SBC has stayed out of the Web-phone war.
That's not a good move in the Net era.
|
| BELL SOUTH MOBILITY | Top markets, spanning 13 southeastern states | 600 minutes from anywhere for $89.95
|
Phone acts as a modem. In the Carolinas, trial Web browsing and e-mail.
|
|
Connecting to the Net from your phone is cumbersome enough. Why do it at Bell South's poky connection
speed?
|
|
*Rates are on a monthly basis and include long-distance calls. Additional
rate plans are available through each carrier. Charges for data services also
vary by carrier.
|
|
All phones operate at data speeds of 14.4 kbps, except for AT&T, which runs at
19.2kbps, and BellSouth Mobility at 9.6kbps.
|
|
DATA: BUSINESS WEEK AND COMPANY REPORTS
|
