Select smartphone customers will soon be able to connect multiple devices from their smartphone – via Wi-Fi – with AT&T’s new Mobile Hotspot application. Starting Feb. 13, customers bundling the Hotspot application with the AT&T Data Pro plan will get up to 4GB of data for $45 per month.

Customers on AT&T’s $20 tethering plan, which permits access to AT&T’s wireless network on a laptop or other device through your phone, will get an additional 2GB of use at no charge to match the Mobile Hotspot offer.

AT&T Mobile Hotspot details include:

• Connectivity for multiple wireless devices to AT&T’s mobile broadband network
• 2 GB of data usage for $20 a month, bundled with AT&T’s Data Pro plan ($25/2GB)
• The combined AT&T Data Pro plus AT&T Mobile Hotspot will provide 4GB for $45 per month
• 4GB applies to collective use among all devices
• Customers will receive a text message from AT&T once the additional 2GB has been auto-added to their plan
• An overlimit fee of $10 per gigabyte applies

AT&T also announced a new trade-in program:

Beginning Feb. 13, AT&T/FlipSwap’s trade-in service will launch in all AT&T stores, allowing AT&T customers to turn in old wireless phones and receive an AT&T gift card reflective of the device’s trade-in value and condition, as determined by FlipSwap. Customers can use the card in AT&T stores towards the purchase of new phones, equipment, or services.  All phones – regardless of manufacturer or date purchased – will be considered for trade-in.

AT&T also offers customers the option to donate old devices – or proceeds from their trade-in – to members of the military through the Cell Phones for Soldiers program.  Donation boxes are set up across AT&T retail locations.

Kyle, an AT&T customer and Stop the Cap! reader noticed the changes, and wasn’t very impressed.

“They matched Verizon’s pricing, nothing more — nothing less,” Kyle writes.  “What would be useful is free tethering tied to our existing data plan; there is no justification for charging extra just for the right to use your existing data plan on another device.”