Lenovo Connects ThinkPad Users with No-Contract Mobile Broadband Service

[btarunr]

Lenovo today introduced Lenovo Mobile Access, a flexible, no-contract mobile broadband service that gives consumers and business users greater choice and flexibility when connecting to valued online services. Lenovo Mobile Access provides pre-connected, always-on, customizable connectivity to the Internet and corporate networks, making it an ideal solution for users who need access to online content, applications and services away from their home, office or public Wi-Fi hotspots. Powered by a scalable cloud-based platform from Macheen Inc., the service is now embedded across select models of the ThinkPad product line and available immediately in the United States and nine European countries.

“We live in world where it’s not only undesirable to be without online access, it’s often disruptive to businesses. For that reason we wanted to create a flexible mobile broadband solution that would be unparalleled in its ability to help business users stay connected and working,” said Dilip Bhatia, vice president and general manager, ThinkPad Business Unit, Lenovo. “Fundamentally, Lenovo Mobile Access gives individual and corporate customers options to determine how, when and where they want to connect with online applications and services, all at a price that fits their budget.”

Designed to fit the needs of both individual and “prosumer” customers, Lenovo Mobile Access delivers broadband connectivity that’s available anytime, anywhere yet users pay only for the access they need. Flexible, no-contract payment options let casual users buy a “Time Pass” for as little as USD 1.95 for 30 minutes or USD 8.95 for one day—perfect to quickly sync email or ensure online access during travel. Users with more frequent connectivity requirements, or who work with large media files can purchase monthly plans with 2GB or 6GB of data access, along with the option for automatic monthly renewal. Businesses can leverage the same pay-as-you-go options, helping them reduce the cost of mobile broadband connectivity with right-sized access that can be extended to large numbers of individual employees.

Business customers can also take advantage of intelligent features designed to streamline device management, increase security and productivity for mobile employees, and reduce operational expenses. All ThinkPad laptops with embedded mobile broadband connectivity ship with Lenovo Mobile Access pre-activated as the default configuration. A single SIM is used for global access, enabling mass roll-out capabilities over a secure connection. Web-based policy management tools let IT administrators customize permissions and access options by services or application, for the whole company, specific workgroups, or individual users. Simple payment options allow centralized, single-payer end-of-month billing for corporate arrangements.

“To date, connectivity has been ‘off the rack’ and one-size fits all—too many mobile users are forced to squeeze into a mobile broadband contract that gives them either more or less connectivity than they need, or they go without entirely,” said Richard Schwartz, president and CEO, Macheen. “With service by Macheen, Lenovo Mobile Access lets users trade ill-fitting plans for tailored connectivity featuring pay-as-you-go rates and customized access for any device, application and user. Quite literally, it’s access to cloud-based content, services and applications that fits the way users work and live, meaning virtually all ThinkPad users can enjoy the value of true mobility.”

Pricing and Availability
Lenovo Mobile Access is available immediately in select models of ThinkPad Classic and ThinkPad Edge laptops equipped with a 3G module. At launch, the service is available in the United States, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Contract-free time passes are available in the following increments and data allotments: 30 minutes (30 MB), 1 day (200 MB), 1 month (2 GB) and 1 month (6 GB). Auto-renewable, bandwidth-specific monthly plans are also available for data allotments of 200 MB, 2 GB and 6 GB. Country-specific pricing information is available on the Lenovo Mobile Access control panel.

[Wile E]

6GB not enough.

[theJesus]

Originally Posted by Wile E

6GB not enough.

Agreed. I could blow through that in a day. Well, if it isn't slow as hell anyways.

[Wile E]

With primarily using Pandora, Subsonic and Facebook on my phone while I'm out and about, I already blow thru about 7GB a month, much to AT&T's dismay, and that's just on a phone. lol. I don't even watch many videos because the higher over 5GB I get, the more they throttle. I need a true unlimited plan.

[theJesus]

I don't think a true unlimited plan exists in the US. Which is why I refuse to buy a smartphone.

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by theJesus

I don't think a true unlimited plan exists in the US. Which is why I refuse to buy a smartphone.

theres only one network running a true unlimited plan over here....but sadly their network sucks...

but I am with them because I get unlimited data and they allow me to tether my phone to stuff and i dont need to sign up to no 18 or 24month contract.

I still get a tonne of free calltime and texts though but i text more then i talk but i didnt sign up to talk for england anyway so its all good. I got ulimited data when i wanna, I can tether when i wanna, and i got plenty of minutes for hot phonesex when i wanna or just text her if im feelin cheap when i wanna.

[theJesus]

lol phonesex, people still do that?

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by theJesus

lol phonesex, people still do that?

LOL same thing I was thinking! I remember being 14yr old and trying it out for the first time...... ended horribly with my dad walking in mid stride.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by theJesus

I don't think a true unlimited plan exists in the US. Which is why I refuse to buy a smartphone.

Over here there are a number of carriers that have 10GB/month and at least one properly unlimited plan (within Sweden of course) but they're expensive, about €70/month. And honestly I'm not sure how or why you'd get over 10GB on such a device. On a desktop/laptop sure no sweat but a phone? I cannot see how you can get to those levels unless you're a bussiness user.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by theJesus

I don't think a true unlimited plan exists in the US. Which is why I refuse to buy a smartphone.

The only carrier with true unlimited is sprint but I do not know their 4G speeds though. Somehow if you had a unlimited Verizon plan *before they took it away* then you can get 4G unlimited but as mentioned this required being grandfathered in.

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by theJesus

lol phonesex, people still do that?

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

LOL same thing I was thinking! I remember being 14yr old and trying it out for the first time...... ended horribly with my dad walking in mid stride.

It was more a figure of speech.

Id say id spend all of my 3000mins callin my mom, but she annoys me enough already when shes around let alone her calling me and asking me about random stuff she couldve found out by herself in a matter of minutes...

Oldage.....you cant shake it.

how often you sit and chat to someone on the phone for longer then 30mins let alone one hour???

I know that females can do it pretty easily but Im not female!

[theJesus]

Originally Posted by Frick

Over here there are a number of carriers that have 10GB/month and at least one properly unlimited plan (within Sweden of course) but they're expensive, about €70/month. And honestly I'm not sure how or why you'd get over 10GB on such a device. On a desktop/laptop sure no sweat but a phone? I cannot see how you can get to those levels unless you're a bussiness user.

I'm a business user. Also, streaming.

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

The only carrier with true unlimited is sprint but I do not know their 4G speeds though. Somehow if you had a unlimited Verizon plan *before they took it away* then you can get 4G unlimited but as mentioned this required being grandfathered in.

Sprint doesn't throttle consumer accounts? I have unlimited from them for my work laptop, but that's 'cause it's a share business account. The 3G speeds are horrid. 4G is nice, but there is almost no coverage throughout northeast Ohio and the Pittsburgh area (my primary work locations).

Originally Posted by FreedomEclipse

how often you sit and chat to someone on the phone for longer then 30mins let alone one hour???

I know that females can do it pretty easily but Im not female!

I've got one guy from work that does not know how to stop talking. He calls me every now and then and talks for two hours straight about nothing.

"Oh, I'm sorry man, did I wake you up?"
"Yes . . . "
"Oh, OK. Blah blah blah blah blah"

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by theJesus

I've got one guy from work that does not know how to stop talking. He calls me every now and then and talks for two hours straight about nothing.

"Oh, I'm sorry man, did I wake you up?"
"Yes . . . "
"Oh, OK. Blah blah blah blah blah"

you need to find yourself a taser and just let one off on him. I bet it would be totally orgasmic for you!

[Prima.Vera]

Still living in the Dark Ages of Internet I see...Download cap...pfff. I pity all users who are (still) using this type of Internet access...

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

The only carrier with true unlimited is sprint but I do not know their 4G speeds though. Somehow if you had a unlimited Verizon plan *before they took it away* then you can get 4G unlimited but as mentioned this required being grandfathered in.

Not anymore.

http://androidandme.com/2011/10/news...rtphones-next/

[scoutingwraith]

Interesting move from Lenovo. Though i do agree on the part that 6Gb may be low for a Laptop. I get close to that on my phone. (with some tethering to iPad as well).

[FreedomEclipse]

Dont forget that this service is mainly marketed at business users. not for people who want to sit there all day watching 720 or 1080p youtube videos or downloading torrents. so for all those who are complaining that 6GB is not enough, Its plenty just for browsing, checking emails and the odd video conference if you have to do it -- you know....the stuff that business people do when they arent reading the financial times, snorting coke or getting jiggy with some 'hired' company of the classy sort that us lower working class folk can only dream of getting lucky with