T-Mobile Joins the Big Boys with USB 3G Modem for Laptops
T-Mobile is enjoying their recent entry into the 3G world with the release of the USB Laptop Stick. The Laptop Stick is a 3G modem designed to operate on T-Mobile’s 3G network in the US and can be plugged into any laptop with a USB port. The Stick includes a micro-SD slot that provides onboard file storage.
T-Mobile data plans are priced similarly to those of their competitors at $59.99 per month and the new Stick will cost $49.99, $99.99 or $249.99 with a 2-year, 1-year or no contract respectively. This monthly fee includes access to the T-Mobile Hotspot network providing additional value over that of the competition.
The connection manager software is included on the stick itself which is a nice touch for ease of use. The Stick also tracks usage statistics and notifies you when you approach the 5 GB limit that is imposed on T-Mobile data plans. The Laptop Stick is Windows only with an OS X version coming Real Soon Now.
(via The Mobile Gadgeteer)
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Wow, what a ripoff!! Here you can pickup a USB HSDPA modem from any of the major carriers for between AU$129 and AU$149 without any contract. They are network locked (which I would suspect T-Mobile does to their cards) but since you can get one from your own carrier for very similar price to their competitors it’s not much of an issue.
If you signup for a contract most of the time it’s free.