AT&T promised us earlier this year that it would roll out its LTE network to a total of 15 markets before the end of 2011, and today the carrier announced an expansion that'll see it meeting its goal before December even rolls around. On November 20th, 6 new markets will be lit up with AT&T LTE coverage, including Charlotte, N.C.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Kansas City, Mo.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

So if you're in one of those new AT&T LTE markets, you'll need a shiny new LTE-capable device to try the network out, right? Well today AT&T also announced that it will be launching the 4G LTE Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 on November 20th. The Galaxy Tab 8.9 features an 8.9-inch 1280x800 display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 3.2-megapixel camera, 2-megapixel front-facing shooter, 1GB RAM, 16GB built-in storage, 4G LTE (and HSPA+) connectivity, and Android 3.2 beneath Samsung's TouchWiz UX. AT&T's Galaxy Tab 8.9 will be priced at $479.99 with a two-year contract, and for a limited time any customer that buys a Tab 8.9 can also pick up a Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket or Samsung Galaxy S II for free on contract.

November 20th is shaping up to be a pretty big day for AT&T thanks to all of this 4G LTE news and the fact that the carrier will be launching the Samsung Captivate Glide, Samsung DoubleTime, and Pantech Pocket on the same date. It's good to see AT&T hit its goal of 15 LTE markets by year's end and launch an LTE-enabled Tab 8.9 at the same time, and what's even better is AT&T's offer that'll give buyers of the Tab 8.9 the option of getting a GSII Skyrocket or regular GSII for no charge. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.

New 4G LTE Tablet Available for AT&T Customers

Ultra-Thin and Lightweight Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Available Nov. 20 in AT&T Stores and Online. AT&T 4G LTE Expanding to Six New Markets, Total of 15 Nationwide

Dallas, Texas, November 14, 2011

Key Facts

AT&T* introduced its second 4G LTE-enabled tablet for customers, the Samsung Galaxy™ Tab 8.9, an ultra-thin tablet perfect for Android fans who want an optimized Honeycomb experience in a best-in-class form factor.

Customers can purchase from AT&T stores and online beginning Nov. 20.

For a limited time, customers who select a Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 will receive a Samsung Galaxy S™ II Skyrocket or Samsung Galaxy S™ II smartphone at no cost. A two year agreement is required on the smartphone.

Additionally, AT&T will launch 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) in six new markets on Nov. 20: Charlotte, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Nov. 20 launches will expand AT&T 4G LTE to 15 markets total, meeting its 2011 market commitment. AT&T plans to reach 70 million Americans by year-end 2011.

AT&T offers the only devices capable of 4G speeds utilizing both 4G LTE and HSPA+, for a consistently fast connection in and out of 4G LTE areas.

AT&T topped its goal to offer 20 4G devices this year. The addition of the new 4G LTE devices brings the 4G device total to 24.

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9

Exclusive to AT&T customers, the 4G LTE Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 is a slim, lightweight tablet, running Android™ 3.2 and packed with optimized services from Google, AT&T and Samsung. The new tablet features a vivid 8.9-inch 1280x800 pixel high-resolution screen, powerful processor 1.5 GHz dual-core processor for fast multi-tasking, and tabbed browsing with support for HTML 5 and Adobe® Flash® Player.

4G LTE backed by 4G HSPA+

Android 3.2 (Honeycomb)

15.9 ounces light, 8.6mm thin

Brilliant 8.9” HD widescreen

3.2 megapixel rear facing camera with LED flash, 2 megapixel front facing camera

Tabbed browsing, Adobe Flash and HTML support

Snapdragon 1.5 GHz dual core processor

16 GB internal memory and expandable up to 32 GB via accessory option

1 GB RAM

TouchWiz® UX

Dimensions:  230.9 x 157.8 x 8.6 mm

Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 will arrive in AT&T company-owned retail stores and online Nov. 20 for $479.99 with a two-year commitment.  For a limited time, customers who select a Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 will receive a Samsung Galaxy S™ II Skyrocket or Samsung Galaxy S™ II smartphone at no cost. A two year agreement is required on the smartphone. Learn more at www.att.com/tablets.

AT&T 4G LTE Data Plans

AT&T tablet customers can choose a $35, 3 GB monthly data plan option with a two-year contract, and customers who do not choose a long-term commitment may still select one of two existing monthly billing options for tablets:

Postpaid: $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB. Customers on the 2 GB plan who exceed their monthly data plan will be charged $10 per 1 GB of overage. Charges will appear on customers’ monthly wireless statements offering the simplicity of a single bill.

Prepaid: $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB. Customers on the 2 GB plan who exceed their monthly data plan may choose to purchase an additional 2 GB for $25. Charges will appear on customers’ credit card statements.

AT&T 4G LTE smartphone customers can choose from tiered data plans starting as low as $15 per month. Existing smartphone customers do not have to make changes to their data plan. All plans include access to AT&T’s national Wi-Fi network of more than 29,000 hotspots.

DataPlus provides 200 megabytes (MB) of data for just $15 per month. An additional 200 MB of data usage is $15.

DataPro provides 2 gigabytes (GB) of data for $25 per month. An additional 1 GB of data is $10. Customers who want to use their device as a mobile hotspot can sign up for DataPro 4GB for $45 a month, which lets you tether or share your data connection across multiple devices.

AT&T 4G LTE Footprint

With the Nov. 20 launches, AT&T 4G LTE will be available in 15 markets: Athens, Ga., Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.

AT&T is the only U.S. carrier providing 4G using both HSPA+ and LTE technologies. HSPA+, when combined with enhanced backhaul, provides customers with compatible devices 4G speeds, meaning customers get a faster and more consistent 4G experience, even when outside of an AT&T 4G LTE area. Customers of other carriers that have transitioned to 4G LTE without further speed upgrades to their existing networks are likely to see a jarring drop-off in speeds when they move out of LTE coverage.

Quotes

“The arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 8.9 adds to our outstanding Android lineup and our growing portfolio of premier 4G LTE devices,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “We’re constantly adding new 4G LTE coverage and only AT&T offers 4G LTE plus 4G speeds through our HSPA+ network.”

Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network.