AT&T announced a partnership with Lenovo and Ericsson to knock $150 off Lenovo ThinkPad laptops that ship with embedded AT&T 3G LaptopConnect modules. Eligible Lenovo laptops include the ThinkPad SL notebooks and all notebooks in Lenovo’s T and X series. The move expands the equipment subsidization model beyond cell phones to laptops. Customers must sign up for AT&T’s 3G service and will also receive 30 days of free service. The promotion basically removes the cost of the embedded 3G wireless modem, putting a 3G capable laptop cost on par with other laptops. Some analysts suggest that wireless carriers will expand laptop and mini notebook subsidies in an effort to help push mobile broadband adoption. Mobile data is the fastest growing revenue segment for wireless carriers, and efforts like this may help accelerate that trend.
