If you've been waiting for something a little less cumbersome and a lot more 3G, AT&T and AT&T costumers now have such a device.  AT&T USBConnect Mercury is a joint venture between  AT&T Inc. and Sierra Wireless.  It's HSPA capable and is available with plans starting at $60 with a 2-year contract.AT&T Press Release:

Designed and manufactured by Sierra Wireless, the AT&T USBConnect Mercury is a convenient, easy-to-use USB device that provides a high speed connection to the AT&T wireless network whenever it's needed. The device provides plug-and-play installation by including a preloaded version of AT&T Communication Manager software for Microsoft Windows Vista, XP and 2000 notebooks and Sierra's Watcher™ software for Mac notebooks (versions 10.4.11 or later) so that new customers can get up and running quickly and easily.

AT&T has the nation's fastest 3G network, delivering LaptopConnect customers typical downlink speeds between 700 kilobits per second (Kbps) and 1.7 megabits per second (Mbps) and typical uplink speeds between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps. With faster download and upload speeds for sending and receiving large e-mails, Internet browsing and video streaming, customers will experience enhanced performance while staying connected to the information they need.

The AT&T USBConnect Mercury includes new user-friendly features, including an integrated microSD slot that provides customers with a portable storage solution, eliminating the need for additional storage hardware.

"With the nation's fastest 3G network, our customers can take advantage of speed and the stylish USBConnect Mercury whether they are traveling across town, around the country or the globe," said Michael Woodward, vice president, Business Mobility Products for AT&T's wireless unit. "With AT&T's 3G coverage reaching nearly 350 U.S. metropolitan areas by the end of the year, customers can easily and quickly stay connected when away from their home or desk."

The AT&T USBConnect Mercury allows customers to stay connected while traveling to more than 150 countries and provides access to 3G networks in more than 60. It works seamlessly across HSPA and EDGE/GPRS networks and provides customers with the ultimate mix of coverage and performance.

"We are pleased to work with AT&T once again to offer a feature-rich mobile broadband solution to customers," said Dan Schieler, senior vice president, Worldwide Sales for Sierra Wireless. "The USBConnect Mercury delivers a reliable, fast connection in a compact, durable design that fits the mobile lifestyle."

Pricing and Availability

The AT&T USBConnect Mercury is available today at no cost¹ through AT&T business sales channels, online at wireless.att.com and in company-owned AT&T retail locations for customers who choose a two-year DataConnect plan of $60 or more. AT&T offers a variety of DataConnect rate plans, including a plan for up to 5 gigabytes (GB) of domestic use for $60 a month for customers.

Customers traveling outside the U.S. can choose one of AT&T's DataConnect North America or DataConnect Global plans. The DataConnect North America plan includes 100 megabytes (MB) of monthly data use in Canada and Mexico plus 5 GB of monthly data use in the U.S. for $109.99 per month. DataConnect Global plans offer discounted data rates in 67 popular countries plus 5 GB of data use in the U.S. For $139.99 per month customers receive 100MB of monthly data in those 67 countries, or for $229.99 per month customers receive 200MB of monthly use in those same 67 countries. Visit www.att.com/wirelessinternational for more information.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

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