AT&T USBConnect 881 USB Modem (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA)

by Sierra Wireless

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 1.3 x 0.5 inches ; 2.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001D196IM
• Item model number: USB 881
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,246 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)
  • #11 in Cell Phones & Accessories > Mobile Broadband > USB Modems

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Providing enhanced mobile broadband performance to keep you connected with access to email, the Internet, and business applications while on the go, the easy-to-use AT&T USBConnect 881 plugs directly into the USB port and seamlessly connects to AT&T's 3G BroadbandConnect and EDGE networks. It offers plug-and-play capabilities and it's compatible with PCs running Windows (Vista, XP, 2000) and Mac (OS X 10.4 and later) operating systems. AT&T offers a variety of DataConnect rate plans, including both unlimited and capped plans.

The USBConnect 881 plugs directly into the USB port in your notebook and keeps you connected to email and the Internet via AT&T's 3G network.

The USBConnect 881 runs on AT&T's 3G High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) BroadbandConnect wireless network, which has upload speeds between 500 Kbps and 800 Kbps and enhanced download speeds ranging between 600 Kbps and 1,400 Kbps. The faster download speeds provide an optimal wireless Internet-browsing experience, and the faster upload speeds will enhance users' ability to send large files, such as e-mail with attachments, photos or business documents. AT&T is the first U.S. carrier to deploy enhanced upload speeds through High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) in its HSPA network. HSPA is the latest generation of mobile broadband technology based upon the global standard for wireless--GSM.

It works seamlessly across HSPA and EDGE/GPRS networks and provides customers with the ideal mix of coverage and performance whether they are traveling across town or across the country. Additionally, the USBConnect 881 can be used internationally in 139 countries, so it is an ideal choice for international travelers (DataConnect Global plans cover additional data usage in select roam zones in more than two dozen countries, including many European countries, India, China, South Korea and Japan).

Specifications

• Data Speeds:
  • UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850/1900/2100 MHz) with downlink speeds of 600 Kbpsâ€"1.4 Mbps and uplink speeds of 500â€"800 Kbps
  • GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) with downlink speeds of 70â€"135 Kbps and and uplink speeds of 60-80 Kbps
• Operating System
  • Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, and 2000; automatic installation of AT&T Communication Manager software
  • Apple Mac OS X (version 10.4 or later); free, downloadable Mac client
• Antenna: Built in antenna; Nano external antenna port
• USB 2.0: USB device that plugs directly into USB port and works across notebooks with PC Card or ExpressCard slots
• Dimensions: 3.7 x 1.5 x 0.8 inches
• Weight: 1.25 ounces

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Internet on the go!, February 8, 2009

By 

Jason (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AT&T USBConnect 881 USB Modem (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA) (Wireless Phone)

The need for internet on the go.

Since city-wide WiFi seems to piss off the state gov's and we will never get it, what options are there? Well you pretty much are left with getting raped by your cell phone carrier for a 3G data card for your laptop. I have AT&T so I started with the Sierra Wireless 875U card which was HSDPA, and then the day after I got it, they came out with the 881U which is HSUPA. I now have the 881U, because it has better throughput. I got the USB one so I could use it with any of my laptops. Aside from the outrageous price AT&T charges for data, the device is really handy. As long as you are in range of 3G, if you are not, I wouldn't waste your time, unless you like dial up type speeds. Oh one other issue I have with it is, since I mainly use it on my MacBook so it blocks both USB ports. This can be resolved with a USB extension cable, but that's kind of a pain. To make up for that though, the card does fit into the USB port on my MacBook Air!

881U Throughput
Average Download speed of 600 kbps - 1.4 Mbps on BroadbandConnect
Average Upload speed of 500 - 800 Kbps on BroadbandConnect Network

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works in Ubuntu Linux 9.04 (Jaunty) and 9.10 (Karmic), January 10, 2010

By 

Eric Walstad (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AT&T USBConnect 881 USB Modem (UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA) (Wireless Phone)

Works out of the box with Ubuntu Linux 9.04 (Jaunty) and 9.10 (Karmic). NetworkManager recognizes the usb aircard and is able to set it up with its simple setup wizard. No command line fu required.

It has an external antenna port but I have not yet tried that. The built-in antenna seems to work well, about the same as my cell phone's built in antenna.