Google has yet again tapped T-Mobile US to rollout a new device, this time with the launch of an LTE-equipped Nexus 7 tablet. That device is now available through Google’s Play Store for $349.
While sold “unlocked,” Google prominently displays T-Mobile US’ name with the device, helped no doubt by the carrier offering to provide up to 2 gigabytes of free data transmission for one month with the purchase of the Nexus 7. T-Mobile US typically charges $30 per month for 2.5 GB of data service for tablet devices.
The device is priced at an $80 premium compared with the non-LTE model and comes with 32 gigabytes of onboard storage. Additional specifications show that the Nexus 7 LTE is compatible with virtually all North American spectrum bands currently being used to support LTE deployments, including 700/750/850/1700/1800/1900/2100 MHz bands. The T-Mobile US deployment is reliant on the 1700/2100 MHz bands, while the device is also able to fall back to HSPA+ and GSM services should LTE not be available.
Google initially entered the domestic wireless device market in late 2008 with the HTC-built G1 that was available initially through T-Mobile USA and supported quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and dual-band HSDPA (1700/2100 MHz). That device sported a sliding screen that revealed a QWERTY keyboard, and more importantly was the first device powered by Google’s Android operating system. In the tablet space, a recent report from Strategy Analytics found Android powering a majority of devices shipped during the second quarter of this year.
For T-Mobile US, having a tight relationship with Google could be a way for the company to show that it’s not heavily reliant on Apple’s products that have recently become available from the carrier along with a corresponding uptick in customer growth.
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