AT&T intros USBConnect Lightning for 7.2Mbps service

When you're rolling out a new 7.2Mbps upgrade to your network, it naturally helps if you've got some compliant hardware in the stable -- so to that end, AT&T has announced its USBConnect Lightning from Sierra Wireless today. Apart from 7.2Mbps downlink capability, the new model's little more than a run-of-the-mill USB stick so there's not a lot to say about it, though it features a trick swiveling USB connector that should make the thing more likely to work with unusual (and unusually tight) port configurations. It'll be available on November 22 for free after rebate on contract, just in time for service launches in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami expected by the end of the year.

[skemme Posted Nov 9th 2009 1:06PM]

Awesome. So if you're around that one tower they've upgraded or on the Isle of Misfit toys, you've got a shot!

Give my Sprint's 3G network any day of the week.

[skemme Posted Nov 9th 2009 1:07PM]

Er.. "Give me my..."

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 10th 2009 8:35AM]

This is TOO funny. Can't get 3g anywhere - yes I've been an att customer a long time. And by the end of 2010 these cities will still be the only places 7.2 will be found. att will come up sith some lame excuse for it's growth. HEY - SHOW THE EDGE network map! And I'll be very surprised if you even get half that 7.2 speed. Been with att too long to believe anything they say.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 9th 2009 5:31PM]

@ Chris Ziegler

Have you come across a more recent list of what cities will have 7.2 rolled out this year? And which cities will have it next year? I'd really like to know when the Phoenix, Az area will be lit up? Thanks!

[sk5878 Posted Nov 9th 2009 9:12PM]

lol. att is only migrating a few cities to 7.2 and for the rest, of the country, you'll have to wait until 2011-12 when we start rolling out 4g.

[sk5878 Posted Nov 9th 2009 8:58PM]

who cares. my year-old mercury usb card is hspa 7.2 ready but att is still 3.6 here in chicago.

[Jayshmay Posted Nov 10th 2009 5:23AM]

Personally I don't even acknowledge ATT as a wireless internet company, nor any of the other supposed 3G companies, with their useless 5GB data limits, and worthless speeds. With Clear I have speeds that are actually WORTH paying for, and no evil data limit, I pay $40/mo, and have used about amount of data that 3G customers would only be allowed to use in 7 months, I've used 35GB's of data so far in one month.

3G is a total waiste, even if they do up the speeds to 7.2 that isn't what real world/end user speeds will be, probably not even half that.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2009 12:26PM]

Wait so if "3G is a waste" like you said. That means your running edge speed on whatever Clear is. And your saying that over an edge connection, only part way through the month you have managed to transfer 35gb of info. I call BS on you! not even possible with that type of speed! 5gb is a gang of web browsing. And you can't tell me you're streaming video over an edge-like connection. BS on you sir!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 13th 2009 10:39AM]

"Wait so if "3G is a waste" like you said. That means your running edge speed on whatever Clear is."
Nope! Clear is 4G, they use WiMax.
I'm lucky, I got a data plan BEFORE the 5GB cap.