The Cell Phone Junkie

AT&T Tuesday announced its first LTE-compatible devices will become available on Sunday, August 21.  The devices are both from Sierra Wireless, the USBConnect Momentum 4G and the Elevate 4G mobile hotspot.  The Momentum 4G will be available for $49.99 and the Elevate 4G for $69.99, both with contract.

As for the forthcoming network, AT&T said they will be launching LTE in the near future, but  network will launch at some point still has not locked down a definitive date.  The carrier did however announce that LTE data plans for mobile broadband devices will cost $50 per month for 5GB, with overage charges at $10 per GB over the 5GB limit.

AT&T’s has previously announced the initial LTE launch markets of Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.  15 markets are planned for coverage by the end of the year.

Press Release:

Key Facts

• The AT&T* USBConnect Momentum 4G** and AT&T Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G** will be available in stores and online Aug. 21.
• AT&T also confirmed data pricing for data-only mobile broadband devices on the company’s forthcoming LTE network.
• Customers will be able to choose 5 gigabytes of data for a monthly rate of $50 with any additional data consumed available for $10 per gigabyte.
• The LTE-upgradeable AT&T USBConnect Adrenaline will also be able to be updated to LTE beginning Aug. 26.

Data Plan Options

As the first devices that will be able to take advantage of AT&T’s future 4G LTE network arrive in AT&T stores, customers who choose the AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and AT&T Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G will be able to select the same $50 for 5 GB data option as many current USBConnect or Mobile Hotspot customers do today. 

Also capable of 4G speeds on AT&T’s HSPA+ network, the USBConnect Momentum 4G, Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G will be the only LTE devices in the United States to have a 4G/HSPA+ network with enhanced backhaul to fall back to if a customer moves outside of LTE coverage. 

Already in customers’ hands, the AT&T USBConnect Adrenaline is LTE-upgradeable, containing an LTE chipset that can be enabled with a software update. Those customers can visit www.att.com/adrenaline to download that update beginning Aug. 26.

LTE Roadmap

AT&T recently announced plans to roll out 4G LTE in five markets – Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio – later this summer. Customers with compatible devices and 4G LTE coverage in those markets will be able to enjoy access to 4G LTE speeds as AT&T’s 4G LTE is turned up. 

As AT&T rolls out 4G LTE, customers outside of its 4G LTE coverage areas will still have access to AT&T’s fast HSPA+ network. When combined with enhanced backhaul, HSPA+ enables 4G speeds that are up to four times faster than AT&T’s already fast mobile broadband speeds. Because AT&T has taken the extra step of deploying HSPA+ technology with enhanced backhaul, its customers will have access to consistently fast mobile broadband speeds when moving in and out of 4G LTE areas. 

By the end of 2011, AT&T plans to offer 4G LTE to customers in at least 15 markets, covering 70 million Americans. 

Learn more about AT&T’s LTE network, the AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and AT&T Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G at http://www.att.com/, www.att.com/attusbconnectmomentum4g and www.att.com/attmobilehotspotelevate4g.

Source: AT&T via Fierce Wireless