AT&T Wireless subscribers may now use their cell phones to scope out the nearest restaurant, read the newspaper, play games and check the weather forecast with the local launch of mMode data service.

The same service has been available in the US for about two years but was only launched in Bermuda, Antigua and Barbados yesterday. The new service is accessible on all phones currently sold by AT&T and many of its older models as well. With it, users may now browse content and applications including MSN Messenger and Hotmail. News junkies can also read entire stories from CNN, CBS Marketwatch, ESPN and The Royal Gazette. It is also possible to download ringtones and games from around the world, the most popular three games right now being Bejewelled, Wheel of Fortune and Tiger Woods PGA.

Teresa Tse, sales and marketing manger for AT&T Wireless said: ?mMode provides easy access to e-mail, ringtones, games, websites and more. It also features a user-friendly interface and powerful personalization tools for daily use in a mobile environment. This new offering is supported by advanced devices and high-speed networks.?

Competitor CellularOne has already launched its own similar service called BREW, but Jonathan Koshar, general manager for AT&T Wireless Bermuda said: ?mMode definitely sets us apart from the competition in Bermuda. No other wireless service can match the local and international content and breadth of applications that mMode offers. AT&T Wireless is fulfilling our promise to bring the most advanced wireless technology to Bermuda.?

Rates depend on how much data each user transmits. For instance, a package of four megabytes of data costs $13 per month. The price to purchase ringtones and games is a separate cost.