AT&T, Lenovo and Ericsson to offer internet service on ThinkPad notebook
By Wilson Joseph
AT&T, Lenovo and Ericsson have formed a new alliance to enable business PC users to access broadband-speed internet via their ThinkPad notebook PCs. The collaboration is expected to lower the price premium usually associated with built-in mobile broadband technology by up to $150 per PC from previous pricing.
Under the agreement, AT&T's 3G service will be available on a full range of Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks, which come factory-equipped with Ericsson built-in mobile broadband modules that are enabled for AT&T LaptopConnect.
According to Lenovo, all three of the ThinkPad SL notebooks and all notebooks in its T and X series are included in the offering. Customers who purchase the ThinkPad notebooks with the embedded mobile broadband and establish an account with AT&T will receive 30 days of free AT&T DataConnect service.
Philippe Davy, vice president of strategic alliances and emerging products for Lenovo, said: "We've engineered our ThinkPad notebooks to provide an exceptional wireless experience. By working with industry leaders, Ericsson and AT&T, we've found a way to package the highest levels of wireless performance into a business model that gives users an affordable connectivity solution."