AT&T is finally offering a way to backup mobile data. (Alltel, Virgin Mobile, Sprint Nextel, Verizon, and more already offer similar services. ) Customers can now store, update and access the contact information on their phones through a new downloadable handset application called AT&T Mobile Backup. I'm sure a number of people who've gone through the pain of typing in new numbers will flock to the app, but what it doesn't do as far as we can tell is port numbers between cell phone (like different phone between different carriers).

AT&T Mobile Backup will be available on a variety of handsets, beginning with six Motorola devices: the Motorola RAZR V3xx, RAZR V3i, RAZR V3r, V365, SLVR L7 and KRZR K1. The service will be compatible with more handsets in the future.

Subscribers may add new contacts to their account and edit existing contacts on the AT&T Mobile Backup Web site at mobilebackup.att.com. Subscribers can also import contacts from Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo! and AOL. Those new contacts can then be sent to the device over the wireless network.

An automatic backup option gives customers the flexibility to back up their information daily or weekly or perform a backup at any time through the application menu. In addition to storing all contact information on secure servers, AT&T Mobile Backup adds privacy and security by allowing a subscriber to remotely erase contacts from a lost or stolen handset from the Web site.

The product will be available on compatible handsets for $1.99 a month. There are no additional charges for the data transmission to back up or restore contacts. You can get the app by visiting mobilebackup.att.com or an AT&T retail store or by texting "MBU" to 386.