AT&T today announced a new 3G LaptopConnect device from Sierra Wireless, the AT&T USBConnect Lightning. It will be available on November 22 and will be compatible with AT&T’s 7.2 Mbps upgrade, which provides a speed boost from their current 3.5 Mbps HSDPA service. AT&T says the Lightning will be available at no cost after a $100 mail-in rebate with a DataConnect Plan of at least $35 a month with a two year agreement.
The newly revamped Communication Manager will automatically connect users to an AT&T Hot Spot at no cost on eligible rate plans when the application is running. Customers can also download the latest version of AT&T Communication Manager.
AT&T plans for initial deployment of HSPA 7.2 in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami by the end of the year. It expects to have six HSPA 7.2-compatible smartphones and two new LaptopConnect cards by the end of the year as well. The company plans to deploy HSPA 7.2 in 25 of the nation’s 30 largest markets by the end of 2010, and to reach about 90 percent of its existing 3G network footprint with HSPA 7.2 by the end of 2011. Dallas is among the first six major U.S. cities where AT&T plans to roll out HSPA 7.2, and initial service availability is expected in Dallas by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, T-Mobile is expected to upgrade their 3G network to HSPA 7.2 in 2009 and HSPA+ (21 Mbps) in 2010.
