ZTE’s first mobile broadband USB stick for T-Mobile 4G network

RICHARDSON, USA & BRISTOL, UK: ZTE Corp. and Icera Inc., the mobile broadband semiconductor company, announced ZTE’s first mobile broadband USB stick for T-Mobile USA’s 4G network, the webConnect Rocket 2.0, which is powered by Icera’s Livanto software-defined baseband chipset. Launched in late July, exclusively from T-Mobile, the webConnect Rocket 2.0. delivers 4G speeds for fast downloads of apps, pictures and videos.

“T-Mobile offers the largest 4G network in the U.S. today, and customers in more than 80 metropolitan areas can enjoy faster Web browsing, more seamless video streaming and quicker downloads than ever before at no additional cost.” said Jeremy Korst, director of broadband products and services, T-Mobile USA.

“Working with ZTE and Icera on the webConnect Rocket 2.0 has enabled T-Mobile to deliver on its commitment to provide a 4G mobile broadband experience, combined with affordable and flexible plans.”

The webConnect Rocket 2.0 is the first USB modem in the US to incorporate Icera’s IceClear interference-aware technology. IceClear uses sophisticated signal processing algorithms implemented in software to cancel the effect of interference from other cells, potentially delivering faster speeds to T-Mobile customers in weaker signal areas and improving network efficiency and reliability.

Featuring an innovative dual-rotational USB design, the webConnect Rocket 2.0 can accommodate any laptop USB port configuration. T-Mobile customers can enjoy maximum flexibility while on the road with access to T-Mobile’s 4G mobile broadband network, as well as 3G and EDGE compatibility. T-Mobile’s monthly postpaid webConnect service also includes unlimited access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots on the T-Mobile HotSpot network.

The built-in T-Mobile connection manager allows users to manage all of their mobile broadband and Wi-Fi connections, including home network, office network and the T-Mobile HotSpot network. This software makes connecting easy with a one-click login for the T-Mobile HotSpot network, secure authentication through WPA and 802.1x, VPN support, auto detection of any available wireless network and a worldwide T-Mobile HotSpot location directory.

“The Rocket 2.0 USB showcases ZTE’s technology innovation and is a major milestone in ZTE’s plan to establish its presence in the U.S. We selected Icera’s Livanto chipset because of its unique, high performance soft modem technology, which enabled the fast delivery of HSPA+ capability. This innovative technology enabled us to complete this project on schedule.” said Lixin Cheng, CEO, ZTE USA. “T-Mobile is driving toward having the most pervasive 4G mobile broadband network in the US and we are pleased to offer a device as part of their HSPA+ network expansion.”

Stan Boland, president and CEO of Icera, said: “Interference-aware receiver technology has been known to achieve substantial user throughput and cell capacity gains for some time, but until now has been prohibitively complex and expensive to implement. The advantage of IceClear™, to manufacturers, operators and customers, is to deliver this technology in software at no additional silicon cost.”