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Apparently AT&T (formally Cingular) will be offering customers credit for the time they were without BlackBerry services like e-mail and Web browsing during last week's outage, if recent rumor is correct. Customers are said to be getting credit for one day of service.

Don't get too excited though: The refund ranges from $1.00 to $2.50, depending on the size of your monthly bill. I am not too sure it's even worth the time to call and complain to get it.

So far I have only about heard this regarding AT&T, but it is possible other carries might offer a similar credit if you call and complain. T-Mobile, for instance, has been known to offer credits in the form of minutes towards your bill. I have e-mailed them and have yet to receive a reply.

I would have to say it is a smart move on AT&T's part, as there's been ongoing grumbling from customers over the blackout.

Although I used to have a Sidekick, where data seemed to go out at least once a month, this was the only time I can recall a problem with e-mail. Nonetheless, RIM still beats other platforms when it comes to stability.

AT&T Lowers Cost of Messaging, Browsing
Speaking of AT&T, the mobile operator is now offering a plan to customers that delivers unlimited messaging (text, picture, video and IM) for only $19.99 per month. And an additional $20 will also get you unlimited access to Cingular Video and MEdia Net (wireless Internet access for your smartphone or cell phone).

Today's news follows yesterdays' report of AT&T offering new international PDA data rate plans for a broad range of supported smartphones and cellular-wireless handhelds.

The global rate plans range from $44.99 to $69.99 per month depending on whether the device is a smartphone or QWERTY thumb-keyboard device. For that monthly charge, users get unlimited domestic data and 20 MB of data outside the U.S. in some 30 countries abroad. Overage charges have also been greatly reduced for AT&T customers traveling to many of these areas.

SmartPhoneToday staff contributed to this story.