To say we saw this new AT&T shared data plan rollout coming a mile away wouldn’t be totally accurate — perhaps we’ll say we saw this coming a month away, back when Verizon Wireless announced its new data sharing plan to encourage customers to hook up multiple devices on one account. AT&T is calling it Mobile Share, and says current customers don’t have to switch to it, and new customers can choose whether they want it partake or not.

In a press release, AT&T lays out the new pricing guidelines for the plans, which combine data, voice minutes and texting, while sharing a “single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices.” Current customers can switch to one of the new plans without having to extend their contract as well.

Customers select a data amount for each month, then can choose up to 10 devices to add to the plan for additional fees per month. If you choose more data, you pay less per gigabyte and less per smartphone added to the plan.

Here’s how the prices work out:

You then add additional devices like a basic phone, a laptop or netbook or tablets and gaming devices for additional fees.

“We offer customers a broad choice and the best lineup of plans, now enhanced by Mobile Share,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T.

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