HTC Launches World's 1st 4G LTE Smartphone, HTC ThunderBolt

Taipei, March 24, 2011 (CENS)--The Taiwan-based High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC), a global leader in Windows Mobile and Android converged devices, recently announced that sales of the HTC ThunderBolt, the world's first 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) smartphone, has been kicked off by Verizon, the second-largest American wireless operation.

Peter Chou, chief executive officer (CEO) of HTC, pointed out that the HTC ThunderBolt is another important milestone for HTC, which has boasted many "world's No. 1s" over the past few years, including the world's first Android smartphone, the first finger touch-control smartphone, and the first WiMAX smartphone.

Chiu said that some 180 wireless operators in 70 nations have been engaged in LTE network constructions. Among them, 18 companies already kicked off their LTE services, including the most-active Verizon.

Industry sources said that increasing demand for mobile broadband connection has gradually enabled existing 3G networks to shoulder heavier loads. The construction of LTE networks, which feature more than 10 times faster transmission than 3G, is expected to accelerate and some 30 LTE networks worldwide are expected to enter commercial operation by the end of the year.