AT&T cuts global data rates

AT&T is offering reduced-rate international data plans for those that simply need to connect to the Internet from anywhere in the world.

The new Global Smartphone and PDA plans range from $44.99 to $69.99 a month and include 20 megabytes in nearly 30 countries. (A nonglobal plan would cost close to $400 for 20MB of international data usage).

While the plans were previously available only on the BlackBerry and PC cards, they will now apply to its entire stock of business devices. This includes the BlackJack, the Cingular 3125, the Cingular 8525, and all the Palm Treos, including the Treo 680 and the Treo 750. So now AT&T customers can fly off to foreign lands without being disconnected from their e-mail.