Those of you looking for faster AT&T Mobile Broadband speeds will be happy to hear the company has announced the new HSPA-supporting USBConnect Lightning LaptopConnect device from Sierra Wireless. What makes this device particularly important is the fact that it represents AT&T’s continued rollout of HSPA 7.2 technology which promises to offer a “considerable speed boost to the 3G mobile broadband network.”

AT&T will make HSPA initially available in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles (oh yeah!), and Miami by the end of the year.  The company then plans on rolling out HSPA 7.2 coverage in 25 of the nation’s 30 largest markets by the end of next year and hopes to achieve 90 percent of its existing 3G network footprint by the end of 2011.

The USBConnect Lightning will come pre-loaded with AT&T Communication Manager (ACM) version 7.0 which is compatible with Windows 7. Customers will be able to pick up the new USBConnect Lightning starting on November 22nd at zero cost after a $100 dollar mail-in rebate along with a two-year DataConnect Plan of at least $35 dollars a month (it’s $99 dollars and then you’ll get a $100 dollar AT&T Promotion Card).

[Check it out] 

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Sierra Wireless, USBConnect Lightning, HSPA

Want a little mobile broadband in your life but not willing to commit to long contracts? Virgin Mobile USA has a solution for you then. It’s called Broadband2Go and it’s basically a prepaid mobile broadband service. Running on top of Sprint’s EVDO Rev A network, Broadband2Go allows you to purchase slices of megabytes at set prices. You’ll first need to purchase a USB modem of course – and that would be the Novatel Ovation MC760 priced at $149.99.

Once you have the modem, you can pick from several options including:

• $10 dollars for 100MB of data which expires in 10 days
• $20 dollars for 250MB of data which expires in 30 days
• $40 dollars for 600MB of data which expires in 30days
• $60 dollars for 1GB of data which expires in 30 days

Virgin Mobile also includes a Novatel connection management software application which provides a usage meter allowing you to keep track of where you’re at with your service allotment. If you’re someone who would like to use mobile broadband here and there then you should definitely take a look at the service. If you’re a potential heavy mobile broadband user then you’re better of with a standard mobile broadband plan from one of the other mobile carriers.

[Check it out via PC Magazine]

Technorati Tags: Virgin Mobile USA, Broadband2Go, mobile broadband

Some good news to users of AT&T’s 3G network. The company announced today plans to upgrade the 3G network to “considerably faster mobile broadband speeds” with upgrades slated for later this year and finishing sometime in 2011. The company plans on upgrading to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology and will also nearly double the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas for stronger in-building reception and more network capacity. AT&T plans on LTE trials in 2010 with deployment beginning in 2011.

AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network is currently available in 350 U.S. major metropolitan areas with another 20 areas planned for this year. HSPA 7.2 deployment will be announced on a local basis with new laptop cards and smartphones to be rolled out later this year.

You can read more about the network upgrade as well as other planned projects for 2009 here at AT&T’s website.

Technorati Tags: AT&T Wireless, 3G Mobile Broadband

Sprint announces that they too are planning to roll out the new Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot device. Following in the footsteps of Verizon Wireless, Sprint will begin offering the small portable Wi-Fi 3G-enabled access point in the first week of June for $99 dollars after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement for Sprint Mobile Broadband services. Sprint will also be the first vendor to support the MiFi’s built-in GPS capabilities – allowing users to “take advantage of select location and mapping applications.”

Businesses and consumer customers will be able to elect from one of the following plans for the MiFi 2200:

• $59.99 a month for mobile broadband only
• $149.99 per month for the Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband Plan (phone plus the MiFi device)

Both of the plans include up to 5GB of data per month and 5 cents per MB overage for the MiFi 2200.

Key features of the MiFi 2200 include:

• Measures 3.50”x 2.32” x 0.35” and weight: 2.05 oz.
• Brushed aluminum finish
• Provides mobile broadband Rev A Internet access wirelessly
• Supports up to five WiFi-enabled devices
• Simple to connect with Hands-Free Activation (OMA-DM). No software installation required
• Universal Wi-Fi compatibility
• Advanced security through WPA2-PSK, WEP and SPI Firewall
• MiFi GPS capabilities to take advantage of select location and mapping applications, such as getting driving or walking directions or finding the best restaurant nearby
• Battery provides four hours of user time, 40 hours standby on single charge

If you’re thinking about getting mobile broadband – this might very well be the best way to go.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sprint, MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

MobileBurn is out with a quick review of the new Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot (which is set to go on sale starting on the 17th of this month). In case you’ve already forgotten, the MiFi is a portable Wi-Fi access point allowing you to share a single Verizon Wireless 3G mobile broadband connection with multiple Wi-Fi enabled devices. Here’s what MobileBurn thought of the device:

“If you are looking for 3G access for your computer or smartphone while out on the road, it doesn’t get much better than the MiFi 2200. We give it a “Highly Recommended” rating.”

The MiFi will cost $99.99 after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new two year agreement. Price plans for the 3G service are as follows:

• $39.99 a month for 250MB monthly allowance and 10 cents per MB overage
• $59.99 a month for 5GB monthly allowances and 5 cents per MB overage

You can also purchase a Mobile Broadband DayPass for $15 dollars a day if the MiFi is purchased at the full price.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, MobileBurn Review

Missed this one last week. Verizon Wireless announced last week that the MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, developed by Novatel Wireless, will be available starting on May 17th. The MiFi 2200 is basically a portable Wi-Fi router for Verizon Wireles’s mobile broadband service. It lets customers create a personal Wi-Fi cloud supporting up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices and sharing a single Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network.

The MiFi 2200 measures a mere 3.5 x  2.3 x 0.4 inches (definitely small enough to fit in your pocket) and weighs only 2.05 oz. Features include integrated internal CDMA and Wi-Fi antennas, advanced security and authentication technologies, and a rechargeable battery that supports up to 4 hours of active use and 40 hours of standby power on a single charge and for a single Wi-Fi connected device.

The MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot will be available at both online and retail Verizon Wireless stores for $99.99 after a $50 dollar mail-in rebate and a new 2 year agreement. Price plans include:

• $39.99 a month for 250MB monthly allowance and 10 cents per MB overage
• $59.99 a month for 5GB monthly allowances and 5 cents per MB overage

You’ll also be able to purchase Mobile Broadband DayPasses for $15 dollars per 24 hour period when the MiFi 2200 is purchased at the full retail price without a monthly plan.

The folks at PhoneMag.com (via SlashGear) already have unboxing pictures and a video clip of the MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot here on their website. Looks pretty sweet – almost sweet enough for me to consider switching from AT&T to Verizon for mobile broadband…

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Verizon Wireless, MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

Sony announced today that Qualcomm’s Gobi mobile Internet technology will be coming to select VAIO notebook systems. Devices with the Gobi chipset can connect to a wide variety of high speed mobile broadband services all around the world – basically wherever you can make a mobile phone call, you’ll be able to access the Internet (of course it’ll cost ya to connect to the service provider). The beauty of having Gobi embedded in the notebook? There’s no need for external dongle devices when you’re not in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot – everything is built right into the notebook and it’s optimized for battery, radio, and throughput performance.

Sony will initially unveil Gobi technology in three ultra-portable models – the VAIO Z, TT, and the new P series. Expect variations by region also.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sony, Qualcomm, Gobi, VAIO notebooks, mobile broadband, 3G

Sprint announces a new price plan designed for those of you who are heavy mobile phone and mobile broadband users. Known as the “Simple Everything + Mobile Broadband” plan, you get unlimited nationwide voice, text, data, web surfing, email, etc on your phone plus 5GB of wireless for your notebook/laptop – all for $149.99 a month. This plan is of course ideally suited for small businesses and customers who are frequently on the go. One wonders if the competing mobile phone vendors will respond in kind.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sprint, Simply Everything Mobile Broadband

Are you interested in Sprint’s mobile broadband services yet find yourself hesitant to jump on board simply because WiMAX might be around the corner (OK.. maybe in a year or so?). Well Sprint has a solution for you – they’re introducing the first 3G/4G dual mode device ever in the form of the USB Modem U300 manufactured by Franklin Wireless. With the USB Modem U300, Sprint customers will be able to access the best mobile broadband connection possible in their respective areas – WiMAX if accessible else downgrading to Sprint’s 3G network everywhere else.

Sprint’s WiMAX service is currently available in the Baltimore with additional areas planned throughout 2009. Customers in Baltimore can expect average download speeds of 2 to 4 Mbps while Sprint 3G users can expect average download speeds of 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps.

The Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300 is priced at $149.99 with a new two year agreement and a $50 dollar mail-in rebate. You’ll be able to get this new USB modem starting on December 21st either via Sprint direct business sales, at most Baltimore area Sprint stores, and at select Baltimore area retailers. If you want to be able to access either Sprint’s 4G or 3G network, you can sign up for a hybrid plan which costs $20 dollars more at $79.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sprint, USB Modem U300, 3G/4G USB modem, 3G, WiMAX

Mobile broadband is certainly great to have but it’s also a pricey investment for most customers. AT&T, Lenovo, and Sony Ericsson are looking to change all of that with a new alliance that will help make mobile broadband more accessible and affordable to customers. Through this alliance, customers will pay up to $150 dollars less for 3G enabled notebook systems.

Participating Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks will come factory-equipped with Sony Ericsson built-in mobile broadband modules which will be enabled for AT&T’s LaptopConnect 3G service. Supporting ThinkPad notebooks for this offer include three ThinkPad SL notebooks, all Lenovo T series notebooks, and all Lenovo X series notebooks.

Finally, if you purchase a ThinkPad notebook with embedded mobile broadband AND you establish an account with AT&T, you will receive 30 days of free AT&T DataConnect service.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Lenovo, Sony Ericsson, mobile broadband