Verizon unveils 10 mobile devices with LTE built-in

07.01.2011
Verizon Wireless today at unveiled 10 mobile devices, all of which will have built-in support for the carrier’s burgeoning LTE 4G wireless network.

The devices include smartphones, tablets, portable hotspots, netbooks and notebooks, from well known brands: HTC, HP, LG, Motorola and Samsung. All the smartphones are Android-based, including the HTC Thunder Bolt, which will support Android 3.0. In addition, Skype announced that its Skype Mobile Video, an application for setting up video calls, will be available on a range of device types on the Verizon LTE network.

The new devices will start appearing as early as March 2011, with all due by mid-year -- about the time rival AT&T begins its own LTE deployment (). 

What was missing from today’s announcement is any indication of price, either for the devices being showcased or for Verizon’s LTE data and voice plans. Currently, devices like laptops or netbooks can access the in 38 U.S. markets via a plug-in USB adapter. Those customers have a choice of $50 a month for a 50 Gbyte data plan, or $80/month plan for 10 Gbytes.

Verizon is still weighing how to structure and price its LTE service, according to Dan Mean, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer, who emceed the CES announcement in Las Vegas.