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AT&T 3G compatible BlackBerry PlayBook on the way; LTE version soon after?!
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AT&T 3G compatible BlackBerry PlayBook on the way; LTE version soon after?!

By Bla1ze on 18 Jan 2011 03:35 pm
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Just in case you thought Research In Motion was only giving the love to Sprint when it came to cellular enabled PlayBooks, new rumors have now popped up suggesting that an GSM version compatible with AT&T and Rogers 3G bands is tracking very nicely as well. Also suggested is that shortly after the release of the 3G enabled version will come a Verizon LTE enabled version. Research In Motion has announced a Q1, 2011 timeframe for the WiFi enabled version with the Sprint 4G version arriving in the summer but has been quiet when referring to other carrier announcements.

If all these new rumors pan out, that means we should see the WiFi version ordering start in February, shipping in March with the 3G version showing up late March or April. No mention of ship dates for LTE, only that it would come after the 3G release. Only fair to note however, these are still rumors. Nothing has been confirmed but time will tell. While we wait, check out our BlackBerry PlayBook review.

Source: CIO

Topics: Research In Motion AT&T 3G BlackBerry Playbook Lte News & Rumors

BlackBerry Swiss Army Knife - a program for advanced users Previous
Leo Laporte shows off a BlackBerry PlayBook on Live! with Regis and Kelly Next
Bla1ze Bla1ze 2974 (articles) 6568 (forum posts)
36 comments

s4bill

I assume you meant "has been quiet when referring"

CASH

WiFi only & ATT WiFi + 3G = March
Sprint 4G WiMAX = Summer
VZW 4G LTE = i dunno

webOS tablet will underwhelm with these dates for PlayBook. See my webOS tablet thread for those dates.

Rootbrian

It doesn't really look like 4G, maybe in 5 more years. Still will be 3G in my honest opinion. Right now, Sprint/Verizon has CDMA, which is EDGE in comparison.

JazzL5

I hope the VZW version doesn't take too long to be announced. I would prefer to get that one since my Storm 2 is with VZW. Let's make it spring or summer at the latest. Hurry up people!!

whtthefink

just bc you have the storm 2 with Verizon doesn't mean you need to wait, you wont need a data plan with the playbook bc it will attach to your phone's data usage, meaning cheaper for you in the long run!

123berryaddicted

Something I am a little concerned about is the carriers (especially in Canada) trying to get a piece of the pie with the pb (wifi only one)... If they charge for the BlackBerry bridge feature I will be chapped!!!

gregorylkelly

I have a Verizon Bold and I plan on getting the AT&T 3g version. That way I can tether through my BB and also get AT&T 3g. That will cover me in almost any location.

Of course, this plan would change based on the price of the data plan and bandwith limits, and also how much Verizon will charge to tether.

devGOD

I think VZW will wait as long as the can till a day before and be like yeah we have a playbook... but the big news is we have the iPhone 4 and 5 coming and the iPad. From a business stand point VZW stands to make more with the Apple products so if they're smart they'll want customer to get the Apple stuff first and get locked into contracts. Apple fans tend to update and spend more money on newer version than BB users who hold on to a device for 2-4+yrs before even considering updating

wildfire161979

So what is the big deal about getting the Playbook to work with each network. I thought you could get everything you need through your Blackberry to Playbook Bluetooth connection. Please let me know if I am missing something. I figured getting the Wifi version would be enough.

jjetson

For blackberry users it doesn't matter at all. If you have a BB and wait to buy a 3g/4g/lte etc. PlayBook you're just wasting money for another bill. And to be honest I don't see it taking very long for Tether or a similar company to release a tethering app for other platforms. So I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with some users wanting 3g/4g etc. versions just to have it tied to a carrier and have another bill coming in the mail every month. Maybe so they can get a discounted one with a contract I guess.

bulls2213

well what do you know, t-mobile left out in the cold yet again. what else is new

Skinny_Pete_

ANY AT&T 3G PHONE WILL ALSO WORK ON THE FAR SUPERIOR TELUS/BELL NETWORK, NOT JUST ROGERS. YOU AND KEVIN NEED TO EDUCATE YOURSELVES. ROGERS IS A $H1T NETWORK, WITH EVEN $H1TTIER SERVICE AND PRICING. THEY'RE CROOKS.

AND WHILE I'M AT IT, WHAT THE HELL IS WITH ALL THE SCREENSHOTS OF DEVICES WITH THE DEFAULT ROGERS HOMESCREEN ALWAYS POSTED TO BLOG POSTS? DID THE ROGERS STAFF NOT SHOW U HOW TO CHANGE YOUR BACKGROUND IMAGE?

123berryaddicted

Wow buddy... You need to calm down. And uh... You don't sound very professional there either... If you worked for my company you'd be canned for this kind of behavior.

mapsonburt

Ditto. Did your IT department not teach you how the CAPS lock key works? :-)

SjorsBB

I didn't read it because of the CAPS, maybe you should type it in lowercase next time.

coreyk86

Lol @ ur angry ranting. Lol @ Telus/Bell having a FAR superior network than Rogers (especially considering they were about 3 years behind the GSM draw AND r kinda piggy-backing on our network). Customer service n pricing I'll give to Telus. I was close to switching to them lately but still have a good 2+ years on my Rogers contract. Bell gets no love tho because I've seen in the past what they like to do with hidden fees (my dad is a Bell customer).

Frank2029

lol, nah he doesnt work for Telus but you know he's got a point? Rogers is a terrible network and their pricing is ridiculous. Not only that but they try and screw you like every month.

I have never had rogers but a few of my friends did and they all switched. Even my gf switched to bell for the exact reason. Dont get my started on Rogers Cable either....

HTC_Droid_EvO

Who would be on professional on "crackberry" lol

smh

Montaz

Yes, why is T-mobile always left out in the cold? I want to upgrade my 9700 but we don't have the Torch or Storm and now there is nothing mentioned about the Blackberry playbook. T-mobile customers want the same thing.

Pootermobile

Nice to see the PlayBook in portrait mode :)

Knuw1

Can't wait to get my Playbook

The Consigliere

So excited about the Playbook but I'm guessing the whole 3G/4G versions are for those people without a Blackberry right? I mean I keep seeing how the Playbook with bridge or sync to our Blackberries & use our existing Blackberry data service so why would I want another bill from AT&T?

TheEagle19

why would anyone want a playbook on att with there lousy 2gig data plan?

The Consigliere

I'm sure there are others like me & were "grandfathered in" with their unlimited data plans so a Playbook on AT&T will be sweet. Where I work the electronics in the building mess with any carrier BUT AT&T, I can be in the elevator & still have 3G while others have nothing so I'm definitely excited to eventually get my Playbook.

Paintedeyes

now idk what to get! the wifi one or wait for the others. i dont think i can wait haha

SjorsBB

Yawn. More playbook.

coreyk86

Just wondering if anyone knows if these 3G/4G versions will be unlockable. That way anyone on any carrier can use em.

jlb21

Correct me if I am wrong, but we have yet to see a bridged PB/BB that is also showing internet connectivity at the same time. Just curious.

And also correct me if I am wrong, but should we not be distinguishing between thethering and a BT connection? The PB connects to the BB via BT, which should make the data "requests" from the PB appear (to the carriers) as if it is just another BB data request. Tethering involves actions that on some carriers (such as Verizon) requires additional cost and the action clearly can be distinguished from regular data by the carriers.

I'm just sayin......

ilabelu

why must VZW be treated as troubled stepchild. just once, i would like to see VZW get something new first.

rearview

3G, 4G, they all just make these things up.

StormChaser77

I can't wait to get the playbook. Exactly what I wanted in hardware. Now I don't have to get the stupid iFail.

StormJH1

This radio silence on key features (and even a solid release date and price) from RIM is getting me nervous. To get one of these, I already have to explain to my wife why I should spend $399 or $499 on another mobile device, and here we are, supposedly 60 days or less from release of said product, and nobody even knows for sure if BB users can tether it to their current data plan.

I work in a professional office where we don't have WiFi. I keep hearing Kevin saying how great this device will be compared to the iPad, which people generally just leave at home...but if you don't even know how you're connecting to the internet with 3G, how can you really say that?

colforbin13

From here - http://us.blackberry.com/playbook-tablet/ under the "High-speed connections" heading, it does show that you will be able to use your Blackberry as a 3G modem. Granted there are no details about how it will work, or be billed, there is some info available officially.

That said, I'd love to know a release date and price. I need time to convince the wife it's a good idea to buy it.

giguere6

Has anyone heard any new info on AT&T supporting Playbook any time soon?