The Cell Phone Junkie

Verizon Thursday released the HTC Thunderbolt, its first LTE 4G handset will be available starting March 17th for $250.  The Thunderbolt runs Android 2.2 with the latest version of HTC’s Sense user interface. It has a 4.3-inch screen, 1 GHz processor, 8-megapixel main camera, front camera, mobile hotspot for up to 8 devices, and DLNA. Verizon requires a minimum $39.99 voice plan and an unlimited 4G $29.99 data plan. Verizon Wireless will offer the mobile hotspot feature for free until May 15, which will be an addition $20 per month for 2GB of hotspot data thereafter.

Android Central Wednesday got their hands on a quick reference guide for LTE pricing.  Details include:

• The $20/2 GB plan will not be available for LTE phones
• The free MHS (mobile hotspot) lasts only until May 15, regardless of when you sign up
• Soon after the MHS promotion ends, an OTA update is scheduled to allow customers to pay for tethering for a monthly fee (details and pricing to be determined)
• 3G and LTE smartphones will have a data only plan if you buy off-contract.  It’s $49.99/5 GB (with a $10 per GB overage), and you’ll have to sign up for a voice and data plan on a month-to-month agreement, then call Verizon Customer Service to get changed to this plan.
• The MyVerizon Mobile app is getting updated to track LTE data usage

Press Release:

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Verizon Wireless and HTC today announced that the ThunderBolt™ by HTC, exclusively from Verizon Wireless, is available on March 17 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $249.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.

Powered by Android™ 2.2, the ThunderBolt by HTC is the first smartphone to take advantage of Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network. The ThunderBolt by HTC features the latest version of the HTC Sense™ experience, which offers enhancements including new personalization options, a consolidated e-mail inbox, and unique camera effects and filters. The ThunderBolt by HTC is equipped with support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™ and Android Market™ with thousands of free apps. Additionally, the ThunderBolt by HTC will feature 4G LTE optimized apps such as EA’s Rock Band, Gameloft’s Let’s Golf, Tunewiki and Bitbop.

Additional features:

4G LTE – customers can expect download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps in 4G Mobile Broadband coverage area
4.3” WVGA display
8-megapixel rear facing camera and HD (720p) video recording
1.3-megapixel front facing camera with video chatting capabilities
Newest generation of the 1GHz Snapdragon processor
Mobile Hotspot capability – share 4G connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices
8 GB of onboard memory and a pre-installed 32 GB microSD card (Actual formatted capacity will be less)
Built-in kickstand for easy media viewing
With the ThunderBolt by HTC, customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a 4G LTE data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access and an unlimited 4G LTE data plan start is $29.99 monthly access. Mobile Hotspot allows users to connect up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the nation’s fastest wireless network via an application available on the ThunderBolt by HTC.

Mobile Hotspot will be included through May 15 for no additional charge. After May 15, customers may choose to activate Mobile Hotspot for $20 for 2 GB of data per month. Customers can track their data usage by downloading the My Verizon app available in Android Market or by logging on to their My Verizon accounts online at www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon.

For additional information on Verizon Wireless 4G LTE visit www.verizonwireless.com/4glte. For more information about the ThunderBolt by HTC please visit www.verizonwireless.com/thunderbolt. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.