AT&T's 4G LTE Network Goes Live

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AT&T is rolling out its 4G LTE network across five initial markets today, as earlier promised. Users may have to purchase new handsets and hardware, though, to enjoy AT&T’s high-speed wireless network.

AT&T is joining the fray of high-speed mobile networks with its 4G LTE offering. Earlier announced to have an initial launch in five areas in the U.S., the network has activated its LTE network in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. This should bring in speeds up to 22 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload.

The launch does not come with any LTE-supported smartphones, though, as AT&T has yet to launch its handset line meant for 4G LTE. But users can still opt for AT&T’s USBConnect Momentum 4G plug-in modem, Elevate 4G mobile hotspot and the HTC Jetstream tablet. Plans for the mobile hotspot and modem are at $50 monthly for 5GB of data usage and $10 for each excess GB of consumption. Meanwhile, the HTC Jetstream has a $14.99 monthly plan for 250MB of bandwidth or $25 a month for 2GB.

AT&T is actually the third network to roll out an LTE service in the U.S., after Verizon and MetroPCS. This rollout was actually one of the reasons cited by AT&T in its plans to acquire rival T-Mobile, but the acquisition is now undergoing scrutiny by the courts after the Justice Department filed an antitrust complaint.

Aside from the five initial test markets, AT&T has committed to launch its 4G LTE service in 15 markets in all, which is said to cover about 70 million residents. AT&T targets to finish this before 2012.