AT&T Unveils New 7.2 Mbps LaptopConnect Lightning Modem

We all know that LTE is coming to AT&T and other mobile carriers in the late 2010 and early 2011 time frame. The catch for AT&T is to give customers enough speed to keep them until LTE debuts in the face of increasing roll outs of WiMax from Sprint and Clearwire.

To help keep customers AT&T is set to roll out its 7.2 Mbps HSPA service. Before users can enjoy the faster data speeds, they will need a new modem to support the speed and AT&T has announced just that. The new AT&T LaptopConnect Lightning USB modem has been introduced.

The modem is set to ship on November 22 nationwide. The modem is a USB device that has a swiveling adapter that allows it to be used in vertical or horizontal orientation. The modem is preloaded with the AT&T ACM 7.0 software to help users manage their connections. The software will also connect the modem to AT&T wireless hotspots for free automatically. The modem will sell for $99.99 with a $100 mail-in rebate. Data plans will start at $35 per month for 200MB.