T-Mobile on Tuesday expanded its fledgling 42Mbps HSPA+ network and gave it a native USB modem to match. A total of 55 areas now have the doubled network speeds. The expansion includes a large suite of major cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland in Oregon, and San Francisco.
The modem, the ZTE-made Rocket 3.0, is T-Mobile's first stick to reach the 42Mbps speeds and help out with live video streaming and online gaming. Its third-generation USB adapter is also mildly customizable with faceplates in any of three colors.
T-Mobile promises both Mac and Windows support for the tri-band HSPA+ modem, which will cost $100 on a two-year data plan or $200 contract-free. Stores should have the Rocket 3.0 starting on Wednesday.