AT&T launches new sponsored data program with Aquto to give subcribers data for looking at ads

AT&T Mobility is partnering with data monetization firm Aquto on a new sponsored data program that offers customers the ability to get free mobile data if they look at advertising and surveys from marketers and in some cases, by buying products. The program, called "Data Perks," was first disclosed by Aquto in June, but at the time AT&T said it was not officially part of any new program, suggesting that Aquto jumped the gun. Data Perks will be a free app customers can download from Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store, though only consumer postpaid customers will be eligible for the program.

According to Aquto, customers who use the app can accumulate data and transfer up to 1,000 MB per bill period -- roughly 1 GB of data -- to their AT&T account through the Data Perks app. They can then use their transferred data during that billing period while using AT&T's wireless networks, though according to AT&T, the earned data needs to be transferred in 25 MB increments. Unused transferred data expires at the end of the billing period in which customers transferred it.