T-Mobile webConnect 3G Laptop USB Modem

Keep your laptop connected while roaming about town and across the country with the T-Mobile webConnect 3G Laptop USB Modem, which runs on T-Mobile’s 3G cellular broadband network as well as offers unlimited access to T-Mobile HotSpot Wi-Fi networks–found across the country in hotels, book stores, FedEx Office locations, and more. The USB stick modem offers plug-and-play convenience and has a handy connector that swivels into the stick for protection when not in use. It also doubles as a USB thumb drive, with a MicroSD memory card slot that’s compatible with optional cards up to 8 GB in size.

The Connection Manager software (below) allows you to connect via cellular 3G broadband or Wi-Fi, check broadband data use, manage Wi-Fi profiles, and find T-Mobile HotSpot locations.

T-Mobile Connectivity
The webConnect 3G Laptop USB Modem operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz networks and is compatible with T-Mobile’s UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 2100 MHz AWS spectrum. It’s designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web. T-Mobile’s 3G service is currently available in more than 100 metropolitan areas across the country, and T-Mobile is continuing to roll out the 3G network in additional locations.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you’ll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile’s EDGE network (which stands for “Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution”). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.

Additionally, the webConnect 3G Laptop USB Modem offers support for unlimited access to the T-Mobile HotSpot Network of Wi-Fi locations (data only; no voice).

Modem Details
Catch up on work, check e-mail, surf the Web, or connect with friends and family all while on-the-go. The built-in Connection Manager software allows you to connect to Wi-Fi networks, cellular broadband, and VPN all from one screen, and it automatically connects to broadband connections when available. (The software self-loads onto the your laptop the first time the Laptop Stick is plugged in.) It’s compatible with PCs running the Windows XP and Vista operating systems; a Mac OS X version of the Connection Manager software will be available later this summer (downloadable at T-MobileWebConnect.com/Mac).

There is a 5 GB broadband data limit per month, with a $0.20 per MB overage charge once the 5 GB limit has been exceeded; Wi-Fi does not count against monthly usage. Note that the webConnect 3G Laptop USB Modem does not provide Wi-Fi service, but rather works with the Wi-Fi on your computer to help you manage your connections.

You can choose to use the Connection Manager SMS feature (Windows XP or Vista only) to send text and multimedia messages to cell phones from your laptop (charged $0.20 per SMS or MMS message). Additionally, if you travel internationally, you can use the webConnect USB Modem overseas on T-Mobile’s data roaming partners’ networks (charged at current rates).

The webConnect 3G Laptop USB Modem comes with its own SIM card and dedicated webConnect rate plan. The rate plan cannot be added to existing data or voice plans, and the SIM cannot be swapped between handsets and the Laptop stick except to transfer phone SIM contacts to the Connection Manager.