If you want a fast data connection without a contract, add AT&T to your list of options. The company is adding LTE to its pre-paid contracts, which are currently available in a limited area only.AT&T launched a pre-paid service under the Aio Wireless brand name last month. It’s a contract free deal where you pay between $35 and $70 for unlimited voice, text and 3G data, plus a fixed amount of 4G data (the amount varying with the price.)
The service arguably launched a little earlier than would be ideal as it only offered HSPA+ rather than the more widely available LTE. That’s being fixed with an over-the-air update for compatible handsets.
The LTE support will also come ready-installed on new handsets, including the forthcoming ZTE Overture, a so-so looking Android phone.
Adding LTE support will be most important with the iPhone 5, the only real high-end handset available on the Aio Wireless deal. Analysts had noted getting LTE was pretty much essential if AT&T was going to compete with T-Mobile in the market for pre-paid iPhones.
Aio allows users to choose between paying the full cost of the handset up front ($649.99 for the iPhone 5), paying in installments by leasing it from a third-party firm, or using an unlocked handset brought from another network.
The big difference between Aio and the T-Mobile pre-paid deal is that the customer won’t have any form of credit agreement with AT&T itself and thus won’t have to undergo a credit check if they pay for the phone outright or bring their own handset.
Controversially, with T-Mobile the installments plan is linked to the phone service. The customer can stop taking the service at any point, but will then have to pay the rest of the handset cost immediately. With the Aio deal, it appears the customer can go elsewhere for service and continue paying the leasing firm in installments.
Posted in 4G, Android, AT&T | No Comments » Read more from John Lister
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