AT&T Launches Prepaid Mobile Broadband

Looks like finally the prepaid for mobile broadband is slowly, but surely reaching the new world.

AT&T today has launched the Mobile Broadband Data prepaid plan.

AT&T today launched a new prepaid mobile broadband

Prepaid mobile broadband data services are extremely popular in Europe. In the US, however, any Internet addict with attention deficit, willing to take the Net on the road, needed to indenture themselves into a contract with AT&T even if they wanted to pay monthly.

Want to get a mobile modem for free? Welcome to 1 or 2 year contractual obligations.

Now AT&T has joined the prepaid club after Verizon Wireless, Cricket, and Virgin Mobile USA.

Prepaid Mobile Broadband Advantages

There are quite a few advantages going with a prepaid, but you have to understand that you have to think long term to realize any financial benefits.

Topmost advantage is the freedom. What you are doing is actually buying a short-term connection, which will have to be renewed. The connection has a time and data allowance limit.

With AT&T prepaid plan it goes like this:

• Daily: $15 – 24 hours of consecutive use or 75Mb of “maximum usage” (I think they mean download)
• Weekly: $30 – 7 days of consecutive use or 250Mb download
• Monthly: $50 – 30 days or 500 Mb

You use up your allowance (or the time expires), and you would not be able to connect anymore and would need to refill.

Obviously you will need a modem as well. The best bet would be to go for an unlocked modem, but it will cost you somewhere from $100-200 extra.

It is not currently clear at all is AT&T will bundle a modem with the prepaid package, similar to how it’s done in Europe, where you can get a modem for free or for around $20, but we will keep you posted.

AT&T Mobile Data Network

AT&T uses 3g UMTS/HSPA network (which is a global standard), so your modem will work in Europe, Canada, Latin America, and some parts of Asia (e.g. Japan).

Different versions of HSPA currently allow on average for up to 7.2Mbit/s downloads, with HDPA+ promising up to 14 Mbit/s, so with these data rates you can see that the allowances are very modest.

Why Should you Bother

If you already have an HSPA modem, then the best way to use prepaid is to test new places for Mobile Broadband coverage before you commit to a long term plan.

If not – then by dropping some extra cash in the beginning, you can sample the network, as well as prepaid is probably the best option for occasional low-bandsidth situational use. Checking text email or news feeds etc.

On the high end, the $50 pricing approaches post-paid regular data plans, which are around $60/5Gb/month (which you can paid monthly if you don’t want the bundled discounted modem).

More Information:

• AT&T Prepaid Sign Up Page
• AT&T Free Mobile Phones Lineup
• Article Source

AT&T Mobile Modems Lineup:

AT&T USB Connect - Option Quicksilver 3G HSDPA Modem

Sierra Wireless - AT&T USBConnect Mercury 3G HSDPA Modem

Sierra Wireless AC881 PC/Mac HSUPA PCMCIA Modem Card for AT&T

Option GT Ultra PCMCIA PC/Mac Modem Card for AT&T Wireless

Latest AT&T Promotions

Well, the holiday season is approaching real fast, and guys and gals at AT&T are working hard to lure us into pampering ourselves with the new generation of electronic all connected toys.

Below is just some eye candy that they are offering. Buy via online store (click on any image below to follow the right link) and you’ll get one of their latest deals gauranteed (either a free phone or a significant discount).

Or just Browse their Holiday Season deals yourself:

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