AT&T Wireless service is available to consumers and businesses, with a wide variety of plans. AT&T Wireless was among the first companies to offer cellular service. After selling their wireless division to Cingular Wireless several years ago, AT&T has once again merged with Cingular, to recreate the AT&T Wireless phone service brand.

When shopping for AT&T personal or AT&T business cell service, there are many factors to consider. Most importantly, you must make sure AT&T Wireless services are reliable in your area, as far as coverage goes. Also, make sure AT&T offers a phone and plan that suits your needs, as you will likely be entering into a 1- or 2-year contract with the carrier. In summary, before signing any contracts, ensure that:

1. AT&T Wireless phone service provides solid network coverage in your home area, as well as in locations you frequently travel to.

2. AT&T offers a calling plan that suits your personal and business needs.

3. There is a phone compatible with AT&T Wireless service that you are willing to use for the duration of your contract.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review AT&T Wireless' service plans and features

AT&T Wireless offers a wide range of service plans designed to suit both consumer and business needs. In addition, most AT&T Wireless service plans can be enhanced with add-ons such as mobile e-mail access. Review the company's packages to determine if AT&T Wireless service is right for you.

I recommend: You can find a great deal of AT&T Wireless service information on the company's website. Here, you will find a full listing of both personal and business cellular service plans. Let's Talk is another great resource for AT&T Wireless service plans.

Read professional and consumer reviews for additional AT&T Wireless service information

The best way to truly gauge a cellular service provider's reliability is through word of mouth. Thankfully, the Internet offers a wealth of professional and consumer reviews on AT&T Wireless services. Check out the links below, and visit cell phone forums such as PhoneScoop.com and WirelessAdvisor.com to see what others have to say about AT&T.

I recommend: Epinions.com has consumer reviews of AT&T Wireless service. Take the really negative ones with a grain of salt, as those who ran into problems with the service may tend to exaggerate a bit. CNET has a professional review of AT&T Wireless' offerings, which you should definitely read through.

Look into buying service from third-party AT&T Wireless phone service providers

Generally, your best bet will be to obtain service directly from AT&T Wireless. Periodically, however, third-party AT&T Wireless service providers offer deals on new phones that simply cannot be beat. As a result, it's worth checking out some of these dealers to make sure you're not missing out on a great offer. Be aware of the fact that if you do decide to buy through a third-party provider, you may not receive the same level of warranty and support that you might when buying direct. So make sure you know what you are getting into before you sign any contracts.

I recommend: Best Buy and Wirefly are both authorized AT&T Wireless service providers. Both offer a large selection of AT&T phones, as well as the full complement of AT&T Wireless service plans.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Have a computer you'd like to take online on the go? Take a look at adding AT&T Wireless broadband service to your account. You'll get a wireless card that fits in your computer, allowing you to access the Internet through AT&T's wireless network anywhere you go.
• •  One big motivator for choosing AT&T Wireless service is that it's the exclusive provider for Apple's trendy iPhone.