AT&T launches USBConnect Mercury 3G stick
updated 09:50 am EDT, Tue September 2, 2008
USBConnect Mercury at ATT
AT&T upgraded its data devices this morning with the USBConnect Mercury. The company's latest USB adapter lets modern Macs and Windows PCs with a free USB port connect to the carrier's full HSPA network. AT&T has upped its estimated speeds and now says the adapter should download as quickly as 1.7Mbps in real-world conditions and can upload as quickly as 1.2Mbps in those areas with fully updated networks. It also tucks away a microSD slot to turn the modem into a makeshift storage drive.
The Mercury also supports quad-band EDGE and GPRS data in fringe areas and comes with both Mac and Windows software preloaded on the stick itself to streamline the setup process. AT&T plans to spur sales by offering the new USBConnect adapter for free to anyone who signs up for a $60 or higher data plan. Lesser plans can have the adapter for $100 on contract, while the obligation-free price is set at $250.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
ATT Lies
Don't trust them. ATT LIES about the performance of their network(s). They advertise UPTO 1.4 Mbps for their 3G network. I have been testing it for two weeks now, logging my speeds.
I average about 130kbps. Top speed, ONCE was 640. I have run as low as 56 k.
They may as well say that their network is as fast as 8Gbps, since the values I have experienced are significantly under the "upper" limit.
Normally, I do not like being litigious, but ATT's approach is absurd.