We've known for some time now that AT&T's 4G LTE network is slated to start turning on this summer, and now we have some dates for when the first LTE-enabled datacards are going to start popping into stores.  Today AT&T announced more details about its first three data-oriented LTE products, the USBConnect Momentum 4G, the Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, and USB Connect Adrenaline. The first two will initially launch with just HSPA+ enabled on August 21, and have LTE enabled when the network launches later this summer. Meanwhile, the already-available USB Connect Adrenaline will get a firmware update that enables LTE on August 26 from AT&T (the page isn't live yet). 

AT&T will begin firing up its 4G LTE network - which will run on its 700 MHz and AWS (1700/2100 MHz) spectrum holdings - later this summer in five markets. AT&T's initial LTE deployment will use 5MHz and 10MHz wide carriers in an LTE-FDD configuration depending on what spectrum holdings AT&T has in respective markets. For comparison, Verizon's 4G LTE uses 10 MHz LTE-FDD on its 700 MHz C-Block spectrum nationwide. The first five AT&T LTE markets are Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, as previously announced.

Source: AT&T

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  • fhaddad78 - Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - link

    I know this isn't really necessary here, but I just felt like venting. What AT&T and Verizon are doing is in my opinion stealing. Taking away unlimited internet and charging for tethering and all that is just corporate greed. I know some people will defend these companies but as soon as my contract is up, I'm canceling my cell phone service. It's going to be rough for a while, but I'll adjust. If more people would just tell these cell companies to shove it and cancel their phones, they would have no choice but to lower prices and be more reasonable. Unfortunately, it's difficult to get a movement like that. It goes for everything in life, you want cheaper gas prices, stop buying gas. Watch how fast gas prices come down. Anyway, like I said, off topic. I just felt like venting. :)
  • getitgotitgood - Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - link

    If phone service is not critical to life or work, just go to one of the discount carriers. Or just eat the ETF and go to tmobiles unlimited for $50 promotion and never change your contract.
  • Spivonious - Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - link

    If people will pay $30 for 2GB of data per month, then the carriers will charge $30 per month. Businesses exist to make money, not to serve the public good.

    And not having a cell phone isn't rough. I haven't had one for 5 years and I'm doing fine.
  • fhaddad78 - Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - link

    I hear you, but the way these deals are structured, if you think about it, is where the problem lies. Yes, companies exist to make money. I'm all for companies making profits. But when AT&T can pay off some government officials, lobby for the acquisition of T-Mobile (purely in the interest of monopolizing the industry and crushing competition), and then jack up the prices for their services because they are not forced to be competitive, do to the lack of competition, that is corporate greed and that is stealing. I understand these networks and infrastructures cost money to implement and maintain, but these are investments made by the company for the long term. I may be wrong here, but I believe some of this stuff is subsided by the government also.

    I don't know, whatever, I guess. Just frustrating how everything in life is getting so expensive and it's all because of corporate greed. All I can do I guess is voice my opinion and exercise my right to protest these actions by not using their services. :)
  • JasonInofuentes - Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - link

    I applaud your initiative, hope that doesn't keep you from reading our phone news and reviews. I think the big issue right now is that technology costs money and that money has to come from somewhere. In this case, when 3G started to roll out, there were few phones that took advantage of it, and the majority (in sales) were flip and candy bars that did little more than simple web browsing and e-mail. Now there's a demand for data and, I'm sure, the result is that the networks are being tasked with rolling out new technology much faster than they originally anticipated. I'm sure five years ago, LTE was part of these companies 10 year capital investments. Now it's here, and that kind of turn around costs money.

    So, am I defending these guys? No. I just hope that the early adopter fee is going to yield some dividends for us in the form of fast deployment and innovation. Keep the comments coming.

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