March 25th, 2009
T-Mobile debuts mobile broadband with USB device
T-Mobile is opening up its new cellular broadband network to laptops for the first time with the launch of a USB device that allows notebooks to get wireless Internet access.
The prices are similar to those at the three larger cellular carriers: the plug-in dongle costs $50 with a two-year contract, or $100 if the buyer is signing up for one year. From then, service costs $60 per month for up to 5 gigabytes of traffic.
The device costs $250 without a contract.
T-Mobile is in the process of playing catch-up to Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint Nextel in the nationwide 3G data network race. The company kicked off the network last year with a few phones, including the popular G1 Google Android-based smartphone, and has since reached about 100 million people by the end of 2008.
T-Mobile subscribers using the USB device will get access to the company’s network of 10,000 Wi-Fi hot spots at hotels, airports, and Borders book stores, as well as free access at Starbucks shops, even though AT&T now operates those hot spots, according to the AP.
(Good thing, too: Wi-Fi is usually faster than 3G, and doesn’t count toward the monthly traffic limit.)
The USB device is made by Huawei Technologies, and is the first order from a national U.S. carrier for the Chinese manufacturer. (Huawei previously sold data cards and phones to regional players like MetroPCS.) It comes with built-in T-Mobile Connection Manager software to automatically detect the best available Internet connection, and offers tri-band 3G connectivity (HSDPA/UMTS 1900/AWS/2100), so you’ll be able to use it on compatible networks overseas. (It’s also compatible with GPRS/EDGE networks.)
The USB device can also double as a portable storage device, and is equipped with a microSD/SDHC expansion slot that can accept up to 8GB cards. The device features a swivel USB design and measures 3.5 inches tall by 1.1 inches wide by 0.4 inch thick and weighs 1.5 ounces.
Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
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