It’s taken them long enough, but Verizon Wireless has finally attached an official release date to the HTC Thunderbolt. Set to be the first 4G LTE smartphone to arrive at the carrier, the Android-based Thunderbolt will go on sale March 17 priced at $249.99.

That’s with a new, two-year agreement of course. In return, you get a 4.3-inch WVGA display, 8-megapixel rear camera, 1.3-megapixel front camera, 1GHz Snapdragon processor and 8GB of onboard storage (with a 32GB microSD preloaded).

Verizon is suggesting users will see 5-12Mbps downloads and 2-5Mbps uploads in 4G areas, and will be throwing in free Mobile Hotspot usage until May 15. After that it will cost $20 for 2GB per month, on top of the regular (and mandatory) 4G data plan, which is $29.99 for unlimited on-device access.

HTC Thunderbolt hands-on:

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Press Release:

The Thunderbolt™ By HTC, The First 4G LTE Smartphone For Verizon Wireless Arrives March 17

ThunderBolt™ by HTC Available Beginning March 17

03/15/2011

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.

15 COMMENTS

  1. well…why dont they say all this on their website then? If I were HTC I would never bring another breakthrough device to Verizon. They were clearly made to take the backseat to everyone else. Like they were kicked to the curb while device will probably be the best selling device for Verizon in years. Including the CRAP Phone from Apple.

  2. I’ve been putting off buying 2 evo’s for 3 months now waiting for this phone, and now they say that the HotSpot will cost 20$ a month. Thank you for wasting my time VERIZON.

    • It’s been Verizon’s price for 6 months… $20 a month two use mobile hotspot they announced that with the Droid 2 and X. And it’s been on their site. No surprise or secret there.

  3. Is it just me or is that the most annoying interview guy ever?! Can’t keep his hands off things and keeps interrupting her. If my 6 yr old did that I’d smack him 🙂

  4. I eventually found my own distraction, a nice single dad I met online, but he was just … blah. … And then I learned he started dating a new girl. ..

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