T-Mobile USA, which has embarked on aggressive plans to roll out HSPA+, introduced an HSPA+ USB modem and new data pricing plans.
The device, branded the WebConnect Rocket USB Laptop Stick, went on sale on March 14. Initially, the USB modem will only be sold at retail stores in Philadelphia where the company's HSPA+ network is available, however the carrier plans to deploy HSPA+ nationwide by year-end. The Rocket is also available online. T-Mobile has said it would light up HSPA+ capabilities, which has peak download rates of 21Mbps, in major markets along the east and west coasts in the coming months.
The WebConnect Rocket device is backward compatible with the 7.2Mbps network and combines WiFi connectivity. The device will retail for $100 after rebates and a two-year contract on one of the Even More WebConnect data plans. The USB modem also sees T-Mobile offering no-contract data plans.
The new webConnect plans are as follows:
- $59.99 per month for 5 GB of data ($0.20/MB overage) with a two-year contract (Even More)
- $29.99 per month for 200 MB of data ($0.20/MB overage) with a two-year contract (Even More)
- $49.99 per month for 5 GB of data ($0.20/MB overage) with no contract (Even More Plus)
- $19.99 per month for 200 MB of data ($0.20/MB overage) with no contract (Even More Plus)
All the data plans offer unlimited access to the HotSpot Wi-Fi service. The 5GB no-contract plan undercuts plans from rivals Verizon and AT&T, which offer a no-contract option for for the same price but cap out the data limit at 500MB.
For more:
- check out this Rethink Wireless article
- read this FierceWireless article
Related articles:
T-Mobile USA releasing first HSPA+ device in March
T-Mobile debuts new unlimited calling plans
T-Mobile's Ray promises national HSPA+ deployment by mid-2010
AT&T: 3G network plan no longer includes HSPA+
Rinne: AT&T has 21% of global HSPA market