AT&T inc. will sell SamsungElectronics Co.’s tablet computer for $649.99, or $50 more thanVerizon Wireless and $150 more than Sprint Nextel Corp., whichrequires a two-year service contract to get its lowest price.

AT&T, the second-largest U.S. wireless company, will beginselling the Galaxy Tab on Nov. 21, at least a week later thanVerizon, Sprint and T-Mobile USA. Steve Schwadron, a spokesman,said AT&T is not offering a subsidy on the device.

“We have the largest Wi-Fi network and at no additionalcharge the customers and plan subscribers get access,” saidSchwadron, in an interview. “We’re giving our customers a lotof choice.”

Customers who buy Samsung’s tablet from AT&T can access theInternet either through AT&T’s mobile-phone network for amonthly fee or via Wi-Fi service, which is often free.

“Each carrier is trying to position the device and theaccompanying service in a different way,” said Charles Golvin,a Forrester Research inc. analyst. “AT&T and Verizon aresaying, you don’t have to have our service with a contract.”

AT&T, based in Dallas, is the exclusive U.S. wirelesscarrier for Apple inc.’s iPhone and the only provider that letsowners of Apple’s iPad connect directly to its mobile-phonenetwork. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab is designed to compete with theiPad, which held 95 percent of the tablet computer market in thethird quarter, according to research firm Strategy Analytics.

T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG, and Sprint havealready started selling the Galaxy Tab for as little as $399.99if customers sign a contract for two years of wireless service.The device, which features a 7-inch touch screen, went on saleat Verizon Wireless on Nov. 11 for $599.99.

AT&T gained 17 cents to $28.63 at 4 p.m. in new York StockExchange composite trading. The shares added 2.1 percent thisyear.

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