AT&T, Lenovo (News - Alert) and Ericsson have entered into a partnership to provide cost effective broadband-speed Internet to business PC users.

 

With this agreement, AT&T’ 3G service is available on a range of Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks. The notebooks come with built-in Ericsson (News - Alert) Mobile Broadband modules that are also enabled for AT&T LaptopConnect. Devices with LaptopConnect can connect to the AT&T's wireless network.

 

AT&T (News - Alert) has also started a new offer under which users can avail first 30 days of AT&T DataConnect service free when they purchase a Lenovo notebook. Users can then just activate the AT&T DataConnect service, connect to the AT&T network through Lenovo's integrated mobile broadband modem and get ready for business.

 

Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks offer a broad range of models with AT&T BroadbandConnect built-in, from advanced processors and graphics to ultra-thin designs and extra-long battery life.

 

The SL series, T and X series from Lenovo are all included in this offer. The SL series is for small business, T series for a balance between performance and portability and X series is the thin and light notebook.

 

Lenovo has already announced a 3G add-on from AT&T and Ericsson for some of its laptops. This announcement comes as wireless data use and the adoption of high speed mobile broadband connectivity on notebook computers continue to skyrocket.

 

"We have seen mobile data consumption quadruple every year for the past three years," said Michael Woodward, vice president of Mobility Business Marketing for AT&T's wireless operations. "Customers recognize the benefits of enhanced connectivity on their notebook computers, and this increase in consumption reflects that. The program we've developed with Lenovo and Ericsson is a simple, affordable response to this trend that we expect will be welcomed by business customers and mobile professionals."

 

Lenovo maintains that the ThikPad notebooks were engineered with the help of Ericsson and AT&T to make them affordable and also to offer an exceptional wireless experience.

 

Lenovo has designed multiple antennas and maximized its placement in the new ThinkPad notebooks to achieve enhanced wireless performance. AT&T LaptopConnect subscribers using the Lenovo notebooks can receive 700 Kbps to 1.7 Mbps in download speeds and 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps in upload speeds. These speeds are said to be enabled by the Ericsson mobile broadband modules built into the notebooks.

 

Mats Norin, vice president of Mobile Broadband Modules for Ericsson, said, "As users continue to demand high-performance connectivity solutions, Ericsson mobile broadband modules are an essential building block in providing a simple, secure and superior experience. Beyond providing excellent engineering, we are committed to working with industry leaders to shape a complete, end-to-end solution to drive increased mobile broadband adoption."