Globesurfer ICON USB HSDPA modem adds support for US networks

Following up on its previous Globesurfer ICON, which was Europe- and Asia-only, Nova Media's new Globesurfer ICON 7.2 Ready kit updates the included Option modem to the now-standard USB key form factor and, more importantly, adds a dash of that sweet 850 and 1900MHz UMTS action -- making it usable on AT&T's HSDPA network and T-Mobile EDGE in the States. Other than the hardware change, though, the package is basically the same: OS X and Windows software (OS X users get Nova's launch2net utility with 300 preloaded network configurations), HSDPA / UMTS 3G / EDGE / GPRS support with download speeds up to 7.2Mbps on HSDPA (384Kbps up) and 220Kbps on EDGE (80Kbps up). Sadly, Nova says that speeds will be slower when connected to 850 and 1900MHz networks. Of course. Look to drop about €299 ($406) for the ICON Ready at the end of May.