Samsung Galaxy Note Release on AT&T Gets Closer

The Samsung Galaxy Note for AT&T was one of the many wonders that we came into contact with on our travels during CES 2012 and while Ma Bell was and remains coy on a specific release date for the 5.3-inch hybrid phone/tablet, we should hear something concrete fairly soon now that the device has gone ahead and passed through the FCC with flying colors.

The Galaxy Note’s filing doesn’t reveal any surprises as it passed through with the familiar 4G LTE radios on board as well as ones for both GSM and EDGE. You know, just in case you want to pick one up and use it in an area not covered by AT&T’s 4G LTE network.

Unfortunately, at the moment, that’s going to be the case for a lot of you.

Right now, AT&T’s 4G LTE network is limited compared to Verizon’s. Last year, it launched in an initial five cities in the United States and to date, it’s available in a 26 markets which covers just around 78 million of you.

In comparison, Verizon’s network covers 195 markets which blankets over 200 million Americans.

AT&T’s 4G LTE network is currently available in:

• Austin, TX
• Athens, GA
• Atlanta, GA
• Baltimore, MD
• Boston, MA
• Charlotte, NC
• Chapel Hill, NC,
• Chicago, IL
• Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
• Houston, TX
• Indianapolis, IN
• Kansas City; MO
• Las Vegas; NV
• New York City metro area
• Oakland, CA
• Oklahoma City, OK
• Orlando, FL
• Phoenix, AZ
• Raleigh, NC
• San Antonio, TX
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• San Jose. CA
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Washington, D.C.

So, if you happen to live in one of those cities, congratulations. You’ll be able to pick up a Samsung Galaxy Note at launch.

Fortunately, for the rest of you, AT&T is going to be aggressively rolling out its 4G LTE network in 2012 as it tries to play catch up to Verizon and tries to get a head start on Sprint.

And that means that you should be able to get your hands on the device that we awarded the Best Versatile Mobile Device at CES 2012 sooner rather than later.

Look for something official on this soon.

Via: Wireless Goodness