AT&T Shows First LTE Devices

AT&T will follow Verizon Wireless in switching on LTE services this summer, but it is taking a very different approach, as the announcement of its first devices indicates. While its rival is going for a wide area build-out at a remarkable pace, AT&T will concentrate on 4G hotzones, relying on its HSPA system for coverage. That means it will under somewhat less pressure to unveil smartphones, especially if there is to be no LTE version of its flagship iPhone this year. While Verizon has the HTC Thunderbolt, LG Revolution and Samsung Droid Charge, AT&T's first two LTE gadgets are firmly data-driven, with a USB modem and a mobile hotspot.

Focal Points:

• Both come from Sierra Wireless, in a welcome boost to the modem device maker's 4G hopes, after it has been overshadowed by rival Novatel's MiFi in the personal hotspot segment. The first product is the USB Connect Momentum 4G modem, which will cost $49.99 with a two-year contract after a $50 mail-in rebate.
• The second is the Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, priced at $69.99 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate. This features a 1.77-inch display for data such as signal strength and data usage and can backhaul up to five Wi-Fi devices. Both gadgets have a microSD slot supporting up to 32Gbytes of memory, and also offer global data roaming in over 200 countries via 3G.


• The products will be available when AT&T goes live in its initial LTE markets this summer, though the carrier has not yet opened up about its 4G data plans, nor exact dates to go live. It has specified the first markets to get LTE services though - Atlanta, Chicago and three Texas metros, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio - and aims to deploy LTE across 70m POPs in 15 markets by year end.



Verizon's LTE network is live in 77 markets right now and the carrier aims to reach 175 markets by year-end. The other 4G player, Clearwire, has extended its coverage and services in New York City this week, with investor/MVNOs Sprint and Time Warner Cable both riding on the WiMAX network to expand their own offerings in that market. Hewlett-Packard has also confirmed it will launch an LTE version of its TouchPad tablet for AT&T later in the fall, in time for Thanksgiving.