Sprint on Monday announced two new less expensive mobile broadband data plans that will replace the carrier’s existing plans. The changes apply to tablets, mobile hotspot devices, netbooks, notebooks and USB modems. Customers may choose between a $49.99 plan that provides 6GB of 3G or 4G data per month or a $79.99 plan that provides 12GB of data per month. Sprint’s plans offer an additional 1GB of data compared to Verizon Wireless’s competing plans, and it hopes that’s a draw for new customers. In addition to the aforementioned plans, Sprint is also introducing a new $19.99 data plan for tablets that provides 1GB of 3G/4G data per month as well as a new $34.99 plan for tablets and mobile hotspots that provides 3GB of data per month. The full press release from Sprint follows after the break.

Sprint Launches New 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Plans, Delivering More Data at a Lower Price Than Competitors

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 14, 2011 – Sprint (NYSE: S) today launched new 3G/4G mobile broadband plans that deliver more data at lower prices than similar plans from national competitors. The new plans are available in all Sprint sales channels.

Customers can choose from 6GB of combined on-network 3G/4G data usage for $49.99 per month or 12GB of 3G/4G data usage for $79.99 per month. The new plans deliver 20 percent more data for the same price as similar plans from Verizon and AT&T.

Sprint		Verizon		AT&T
$49.99 per month/6GB		$50 per month/5GB		$50 per month/5GB
$79.99 per month/12GB		$80 per month/10GB		NA

With an extra 1GB of data vs. Verizon and AT&T’s $50/5GB plans, Sprint customers subscribing to the new $49.99/6GB plan will be able to view approximately 6,667 additional Web pages, 2,000 more photos or 67 extra YouTube videos each month.¹

“Sprint is committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers, and our new 3G/4G Mobile Broadband plans are the latest example of that,” said Will Souder, vice president of pricing for Sprint. “Sprint gives customers more data at lower prices than competitors, so they can do more with their mobile broadband devices on Sprint’s 3G and 4G networks.”

The $49.99/6GB and $79.99/12GB plans are compatible with all Mobile Broadband devices sold by Sprint, including tablets, dedicated mobile hotspot devices, USB modems, netbooks and notebooks.

In addition, Sprint is also launching a new plan available for tablets² and dedicated mobile hotspot devices³ priced at $34.99 per month for 3GB of 3G/4G data usage, along with a new plan for tablets priced at $19.99 per month for 1GB of 3G/4G data usage.

Monthly		3G/4G Data		Tablets		Dedicated		USB/Card/
Price						Mobile Hotspot		Netbook/
						Devices		Notebooks
$19.99		1GB		X
$34.99		3GB		X		X
$49.99		6GB		X		X		X
$79.99		12GB		X		X		X
On-Network Overage Rate: $0.05/MB						Off-Network Overage Rate: $0.25/MB4

The new plans replace all previously available Mobile Broadband plans and are available to new and existing customers.

Sprint provides to customers tools to monitor and manage their mobile broadband data usage and avoid overages:

• Customers who have opted-in for notifications will receive email and/or SMS notifications when their 3G/4G data usage has reached 75 percent of their plan limit or higher.
• Customers are also able to view their data usage by logging into My Sprint at www.sprint.com.
• Customers with devices featuring the SmartView application can use the app to view data usage.
• Tablet users can text “usage” to 1311 to receive a text with their current 3G/4G usage.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 53 million customers at the end of 3Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in its 2011 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

¹ These numbers are estimates based on averages of 150kb/Web page, 500kb/photo and 15MB/YouTube video. 1,024kb=1MB. 1,024MB=1GB.

² Casual messaging is included in tablet plans at $0.20/message. Messaging add-on packs also are available. Tablet plans are available in 3G-only version for activation on 3G-only devices. These plans also include casual messaging capabilities with messaging add-on packs available.

³ $34.99 per month/3GB dedicated mobile hotspot device plan is restricted to Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro 3G/4G mobile hotspot, MiFi 3G/4G mobile hotspot by Novatel Wireless and any future dedicated mobile hotspot devices. 3G-only mobile hotspot plans are available for activation on the 3G ZTE International Hotspot device.

⁴ Off-network data limitation of 100MB or 300MB applies. See www.sprint.com for details.

Sprint confirmed last month that beginning October 2nd, unlimited mobile hotspot plans would become limited mobile hotspot plans, affording users of the optional smartphone add-on 5GB of tethering data per month. Now, Sprint has added a second service to the unlimited data cemetery: mobile broadband. “If you have a mobile broadband device such as a tablet, netbook, notebook, USB card, connection card or Mobile Hotspot device, effective beginning with your next bill following notification, your on-network monthly data allowance will no longer include unlimited 4G,” Sprint said on its website. Starting next month, Sprint will offer three new mobile broadband plans that cap users at 3GB, 5GB or 10GB of combined 3G and 4G data per billing period depending on their plans. Additional data will be charged at $0.05 per megabyte, and the same overage charge applies to mobile hotspot plans. A table outlining the new plans follows below.

Read

According to a new research report from Gartner, consumers are on track to spend a record $2.1 trillion on digital information and entertainment products this year. That figure is expected to hit $2.8 trillion by 2015. $1.2 trillion — 62% — is spent on subscription-based communication services such as mobile, voice, and data services, broadband packages, video services, online gaming, and cable TV subscriptions. $600 billion, 28% of the total $2.1 trillion, is spent on devices themselves, and 10% is spent on content such as computer software, video on-demand, and pay-per-view services. “The three key technology areas that will offer the best opportunity for vendors during the next three years are: wireless broadband, which will enable constant connectivity; location-based services (LBS), which will personalize and take advantage of the constant connected state; and operating systems, which are the foundation for integration applications that can bring it all together,” Mikako Kitagawa, principal research analyst at Gartner, said. Read on for the full release.

Gartner Says Consumers On Track to Spend $2.1 Trillion Globally on Digital Information and Entertainment Products and Services in 2011

STAMFORD, Conn., June 27, 2011— 

In 2010, consumers globally spent $2 trillion on digital information and entertainment products and services, and this will increase to $2.8 trillion by 2015, according to Gartner, Inc. Worldwide consumer spending on digital information and entertainment products and services is projected to reach $2.1 trillion in 2011.

The trend among vendors to offer a diversified portfolio of products and/or services puts them in a better position to seize a larger share of the consumer wallet. Gartner defines consumer wallet spending as the money spent by consumers for digital technology devices and services that are for accessing, consuming and creating content. This wallet is divided into three basic spending types — content, devices and services.

“While a vendor can be a leader in specializing within just one segment of the consumer wallet, there are a mounting number of examples that suggest diversification may be the optimal path forward in the consumer electronics industry,” said Amanda Sabia, principal research analyst at Gartner. “Vendors that diversify their offerings across multiple consumer spending segments earn revenue across the full ecosystem and take legacy services to transform to newer products and services.”

Of the $2 trillion consumers spent globally in 2010 on digital information and entertainment products and services, the largest spending segment (62 percent) was for communications subscription-based access and usage services. The $1.2 trillion included mobile and wired voice services; mobile data services, such as SMS/TXT and broadband; fixed broadband services; video services, such as subscriptions to pay TV; and online gaming.

The second-largest spending segment (28 percent) was for devices. The $600 billion is made up of consumer electronic devices, such as mobile/handheld devices, PCs and related devices, and stationary entertainment equipment, such as television sets and game consoles.

The smallest spending segment (10 percent) was for content and software for a total of $200 billion. Video content that has been purchased/rented/streamed/downloaded, as well as premium channel/pay per view (PPV)/video on demand (VOD), and that portion of pay TV subscriptions allocated to licensing fees made up half of this segment, while the other half was for PC and gaming software, digital music and books, and purchases from mobile apps stores.

“There are two basic strategies that vendors have used to capture consumer spending that will enable their interconnected consumer experience,” said Mikako Kitagawa, principal research analyst at Gartner. “The first is to concentrate in one consumer spending segment, and the second is to diversify into other consumer spending segments.”

“The challenge to vendors choosing to be hyperfocused on one wallet spending segment is the relentless pursuit of innovation required to maintain segment sales leadership in this one specific segment,” Ms. Kitagawa said. “There are two ways to achieve leadership in this instance: by diversifying the portfolio suite of offerings and by expanding the target audience or usage model of the products and services.”

Vendors choosing to diversify into other consumer spending segments can benefit from the fact that consumers are increasingly using alternative services that will move their spending from one segment to the other, such as fixed voice to mobile voice; fixed broadband to mobile broadband; physical content, such as CDs, DVDs and books to online/digital versions; and linear broadcast TV to over the top (OTT) video. All of these alternative services provide business opportunities that would replace or would be in addition to legacy products and services, thus enabling a vendor to pursue the consumers’ spending in more than one segment.

“Technology innovation opens windows of opportunity for vendors to consider diversification,” said Ms. Kitagawa. “However, technology innovation also opens a window for change among consumers to switch vendors in the pursuit of cost savings or lifestyle-changing technology.”

“The three key technology areas that will offer the best opportunity for vendors during the next three years are: wireless broadband, which will enable constant connectivity; location-based services (LBS), which will personalize and take advantage of the constant connected state; and operating systems, which are the foundation for integration applications that can bring it all together.”

Additional information is available in the Gartner report “Market Trends: Diversification Trends Capture More of Consumer Technology Spending.” The report presents what products and services make up the consumer wallet, and a high-level analysis of the varying strategies to capture that spending within and among the various segments. The report is available on Gartner’s website at http://www.gartner.com/resId=1717114.

Despite AT&T’s current lack of 4G branding, the carrier announced Monday that its mobile broadband network is currently the fastest in the U.S. The new claim comes on the back of a “comprehensive third-party drive test” performed by Global Wireless Solutions (GWS). The findings show that AT&T’s wireless network delivers the fastest average download speeds in the country compared to other major wireless carriers. According to a nice color-coded graph that helps AT&T dance around having to name its competition, we can see that Verizon Wireless’ network was found to be a whopping 60% slower, on average. Sprint had the next fastest network according to GWS, but it was 55% slower than AT&T. T-Mobile’s “4G” network fared better but it still delivered download speeds that were an average of 20% slower than AT&T. Hit the break for the nifty color-coded chart that helps illustrate GWS’ findings while also helping to keep AT&T out of hot water.

Read

In April, Verizon Wireless took its new LTE network to the streets, publicly pimping their next-generation, 4G network in Boston, MA. In a three minute promotional video that hit Big Red’s official YouTube, Verizon showcases users canned spontaneous reactions to the 8.5 Mbps download and 2.2 MBps upload speeds offered by the carrier’s new network. Folks at the Sicilian Pizzeria in Beantown — where the video was mostly filmed — seemed thrilled with the mobile download speeds, repeatedly commenting that the connection was “fast” and items were downloading “almost immediately.” With Sprint’s HTC EVO 4G on the horizon, the timing of the video makes it pretty clear that Verizon is trying to keep its customers focused on the promise-land that is LTE — as opposed to the already available WiMAX from its competition. Hit the jump for the full video.

[via Laptop Magazine]

Read (or watch)

This month, we spent some time parading around Boston with the Overdrive mobile hotspot, Sprint’s first 3G/4G hybrid mobile router. And while we weren’t able to test out the 4G goodness in Boston, no WiMAX love yet — though we gave it a go in Las Vegas — that didn’t stop us from creating a quick video review of the device for your viewing pleasure. Here is a quick overview of what we thought:

• The LCD screen on the front of the device is great. Really addresses one of the large complaints about the MiFi device in general, you had no idea what it was doing. The LCD screen brings instant visibility to signal, data transfer, and network information.
• We loved how easy the setup is; you could guide your grandfather through it over the phone. Think of it as being slightly more refined than the MiFi set up process.
• 3G speeds were very good in Boston.
• The MicroSD card slot made file sharing easy with other users connected to the router and is a great added feature.
• Battery life at 3 hours isn’t the most amazing part of the Overdrive, and we wish it would have lasted a bit longer.
• While I personally didn’t mind the size of the Overdrive, it was larger than BG thought it would be and for that reason alone he prefers the MiFi. I would rather have the flexibility of having a 4G-enabled device and deal with the slightly larger physical size and extra 2.5 ounces.

Hit the break for the video!

To entice customers to jump on board the WiMAX bandwagon, Sprint has lowered the price of its 3G/4G mobile broadband plan by $10, bringing the final price down to a competitive $59.99 per month. The wireless includes unlimited 4G usage and 5GB of  in-network 3G usage or 300MB of out-of-network 3G usage. The lowered plan launched alongside the Sierra Wireless 3G/4G Overdrive hotspot and is now available with any 3G/4G combo device. Anyone sitting on the WiMAX fence going to take the plunge now that that the price of Sprint’s combo 3G/4G mobile broadband plan is as low as its 3G-only plan?

[Via Fierce Wireless]

Read

Time to get your world traveling on, Verizon Wireless subscribers. Big Red has just announced the latest addition to its global roaming-ready mobile broadband lineup and as long as you can handle the rather loud choice of coloring, it’s not a bad option at all. The ZTE AD3700 USB modem packs just about every type of connectivity you could possibly need at the moment — EV-DO, GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS are all covered in a single, relatively small package. The modem also features a USB connector that swivels to suit any and all laptop designs. As far as pricing and availability, the ZTE AD3700 will hit stores starting tomorrow for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate on a new 2-year mobile broadband contract.

Read

If the thought of browsing the internet on your laptop while hurtling down the Trans-Canada Highway at speeds in excess of 90 km/h gets you all excited (while someone else is driving, of course), perhaps it’s time you head on over to your nearest Bell dealer and take a look at the newly released Novatel Wireless U760 USB Modem. Free on a 3-year contract or $174.95 contract-free, the EV-DO Rev. A-capable U760 is meant to be used in conjunction with Bell’s Mobile Internet plans starting at $30 for 500MB and topping out at $85 for up to 5GB. Just a warning, however: if you plan to take a trip south of the border you might want to leave your U760 at home as roaming will set you back $3 per MB.

Read

Just one day after we scooped fresh product shots of Virgin Mobile USA’s first mobile broadband device, the Novatel Wireless MC760, the company has announced the availability of its contract-free Broadband2Go service. Touted as a 3G nationwide wireless Internet service, the MVNO’s new offering is sure to pique the interest of infrequent travelers and light mobile broadband users who simply can’t justify a $60 per month service for sporadic usage. Out of the gate, the pricing structure is a bit different than we had believed back when we first broke news of the coming broadband offering. Users will be able to purchase Broadband2Go Top-Up cards in the following denominations:

• $10 — 100MB usable for 10 days
• $20 — 250MB usable for 30 days
• $40 — 600MB usable for 30 days
• $60 — 1GB usable for 30 days

On the surface these options appear to be a bit pricey but again, postpaid options from other carriers can cost $720 per year or more. For users who only need mobile broadband access a few months out of each year, spending a total of $60, $120 or even $180 for Top-Up cards that will get them through a full year translates into massive savings.

Read

As we weigh our options in seeking out an alternative to the USB modem that completely and utterly failed us in Vegas, a new option has just presented itself in the form of a nifty little hybrid broadband card from Sprint. Announced this morning, the Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 features a unique design that allows Sprint to cover users with PC Card slots and ExpressCard slots in one swing. The design places a broadband ExpressCard within a PC Card shell — as you can see in the image above, the two pieces join when a PC Card is required, but they can also be separated to support newer, smaller notebooks and netbooks requiring an ExpressCard. Very clever. The AirCard 402 supports EV-DO Rev. A of course, giving users access to “typical upload speeds of 350-500 Kbps with peak speeds of 1.8 Mbps and typical download speeds of 600 Kbps – 1.4 Mbps with peak speeds of 3.1 Mbps where EV-DO Revision A is available.”

This little guy is definitely a nice solution for users with both a notebook and a netbook where one type of card might not fit in both. It’s also great for those of you sporting an older notebook with a PC Card slot, but who will likely be upgrading to a newer laptop in the future. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 is available right now and will set you back a pretty reasonable $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate.

[Via Press Release]

Read

Alltel has reportedly launched a new $40 wireless broadband add-on option, a $20 drop from the regular $60 per month price tag. Customers must subscribe to a Smart Choice voice plan to be eligible for this $40 wireless broadband add-on, but it’s still not too shabby for a truly unlimited (read: no usage cap) EV-DO mobile broadband connection. Sorry Alltel-Verizon Wireless customers as this feature is reportedly available for divested customers only. Doh!

[Via HoFo]

Read

Following in the footsteps of Acer and its $99 Radioshack Aspire One, Dell announced on Friday that it will be selling its Inspiron Mini 9 netbook with integrated mobile broadband for a mere $99 with a two-year AT&T LaptopConnect agreement ($60/month). Unfortunately, the $99 price tag comes after a $350 Dell Mail-in-Rebate which may scare away more than a few prospective buyers. The $99 price ends January 31st, 2009 so you have only three weeks to jump on this offer. As with the Acer deal, it really only makes sense if a LaptopConnect contract was already in your future as a $99 Mini 9 is hardly worth $720/year otherwise.

Read