Once again, it looks like MetroPCS may beat the major carriers to the LTE punch, as the nation’s fifth-largest carrier is promising to have an Android handset with LTE capabilities.
According to Fierce Wireless, MetroPCS CEO Roger Linquist said the company will have an LTE Android smartphone out in the first quarter of 2011. He didn’t say who would make the device or what it would be exactly but he did say that it would use the voice over LTE standard (VoLTE).
Despite being a fraction of the size of Verizon, MetroPCS was able to get out the first LTE handset in the United States with the launch of the Samsung Craft. This 4G-capable device is more of a feature phone than a smartphone though and the Android version may give Metro’s customers a big more functionality.
Verizon also just started its big push for 4G LTE service, as it just rolled out data services in 38 markets and 60 airports. The nation’s largest carrier is not expected to have smartphones with 4G until the first half of 2011 but recent leaks suggest it may happen sooner, rather than later.
MetroPCS does have the advantage of being cheaper than Verizon, as its Android 4G handset will probably not cost more than $60 or so for unlimited everything. Verizon hasn’t unveiled its smartphone 4G pricing but its data pricing indicate it will be similar or more expensive than what it already charges.
We’re not expecting some high-end Android LTE phone to land on the prepaid carrier but I’m sure that it will be a solid device that can take advantage of the more than 100,000 apps in the market and that faster browsing speed is always appreciated. It’s also a good sign that prepaid carriers are starting to get good handsets, as it will put some more pricing pressure on the big four mobile operators.
[Via Fierce Wireless, photo
