Once again, AT&T has been chosen as the exclusive mobile data provider for a new product.
This time, it’s the Iconia Tab from Acer. The Iconia Tab has gained some level of notoriety because of its low price point among Android tablets. Now it’s going to the next level.
Consumers who want to have on-the-go data available with their Iconia Tab will be able to pick up the device with built-in 4G connectivity from AT&T on September 18.
The price for the 4G version will be $480, but those willing to sign a two-year service contract with AT&T can get it for just $330. The latter requires a $35 monthly data plan.
Those who want to opt for month-to-month service can grab 250 MB of data for $15/month or $25/month for 2 GB.
For a low-end tablet, the Iconia Tab packs a punch. It has a 1 GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, and runs on Android Honeycomb. It has a 10.1-inch display, making it on par with the iPad.
One footnote to add is that even though AT&T calls the service ‘4G,’ many have criticized that the carrier’s high-speed service is only a marginal upgrade from 3G and is nowhere near on par with competitors like Sprint and Verizon.
AT&T does plan to upgrade its 4G network to the more robust LTE standard, but that does not include the Iconia Tab.
AT&T has managed to reduce the damage done by losing its iPhone exclusivity by focusing on providing mobile data to . It assumedly locks in sweetheart deals with manufacturers to grab exclusivity to such products as the Kindle, Sony’s upcoming Playstation Vita, and now the Iconia Tab.
