T-Mobile USA Looks To Tap Consumers With Laptop Connection

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--T-Mobile USA is banking that casual users and small business owners will want a constant cellular connection for their laptop in unveiling its webConnect USB stickT-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG (DT), is entering a well-worn path. All of the other wireless carriers, which have built out more extensive high-speed networks, offer laptop cards with wireless Internet connections, and serve mostly business customers. Late to the game, the No. 4 U.S. carrier is hoping its ease of use and the targeting of consumers will allow it to grow.
"We're focusing on consumers and the next wave of users who adopt mobile broadband," said Jeremy Korst, the director of broadband products and services for T-Mobile. "We're making it easier."

The USB stick itself is $250, $100 with a one-year contract, or $50 with a two-year contract. The monthly plan costs $60 for 5 gigabytes of wireless data, with a charge of 20 cents per megabyte on top of that level. The $60 plan is roughly in line with competing services from other carriers.
Like AT&T's 3G card, T-Mobile's USB stick can connect to a majority of networks abroad. It can also connect to partner T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots overseas, but additional charges would apply.