CTIA 2011: T-Mobile announces 42 Mbps plans, 4G Hotspot device, and G2x

While T-Mobile and AT&T move forward with working out their partnership and Sprint tries to get the government to stop the deal those of us on T-Mobile will continue to look to them for the latest and greatest devices and further HSPA+ rollout. Today at CTIA Wireless in Orlando T-Mobile USA announced the first markets for 42 Mbps HSPA+, the LG G2x, T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot, and the Rocket 3.0.

42 Mbps HSPA+

T-Mobile currently has a few devices supporting their 21 Mbps HSPA+ network and is working to roll out their theoretical 42 Mbps speed HSPA+ network. They will start with Las Vegas, New York and Orlando and then move to Chicago, more New York markets, and New Jersey. T-Mobile plans to cover 140 million Americans in 24 markets with their increased speed HSPA+ network. They announced plans to deliver 25 HSPA+ devices in 2011 with seven new ones coming this spring.

T-Mobile G2x

T-Mobile will be offering the new G2x from LG soon and this bad boy is powered by a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor with Android 2.2, a 4-inch display, 8 megapixel camera, and more. It looks like a slick device and if you are a T-Mobile customer one of your biggest challenges will be to find just one device you like.

T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot

Finally, we see T-Mobile offering a MiFi-like wireless access hotspot device with the T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot made by ZTE. This is a 21 Mbps-capable device and resembles a clamshell cell phone with a 2.64 ounce weight. You will be able to connect up to five devices from this hotspot device.

T-Mobile Rocket 3.0

T-Mobile will also be rolling out their Rocket 3.0 USB modem that supports the 42 Mbps network. This is a ZTE device, similar to the Rocket 2.0.

T-Mobile also reminds us that the T-Mobile G-Slate from LG and the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G are both coming soon. The G-Slate looks good on paper with the 8.9 inch display and Android 3.0, but I have to see one up close to judge whether or not it can knock my iPad 2 out of my hands.

T-Mobile definitely has a compelling lineup of devices and their network is second in speed to Verizon's new LTE network. I need to evaluate whether or not I need the extreme speeds of LTE on the new HTC ThunderBolt or if I can be satisfied with the T-Mobile 4G Mobile Hotspot or even the G2x.