Verizon’s chief technology officer Tony Melone says that in spite of issues pertaining to getting 4g/LTE smartphones to work properly on their LTE network, the company is on track to launch a series of phones in the first half of 2011. Recently, the flagship of these 4G phones, the HTC Thunderbolt, as been getting attention over one slipped launch date after another. And stories have abounded that the problems range from poor battery life to transferring from 3G to 4G networks on the device. The problem is, the hype for these phones is beginning to fade, which is prompting Melone to reassure the public, and investors, that LTE will be launched on scheduled.
“A year ago, people didn’t believe that there would be LTE smartphones in 2011,” said Melone. “First half of the year is what we promised, first half of the year is still on track. So we don’t believe there are any new or surprising issues.
Melone went on to pin it down as saying we’d see the Thunderbolt and a host of other phones out by the end of the second quarter. He also went on to say that Verizon is pleased with the way they are handling issues as they crop up and at they were anticipated. As for battery life, Melone said that battery life has always been an issue, even on 3G and he’s confident that working with manufacturers, Verizon will optimize battery life and make it acceptable to users.
We broke the story last night that Verizon was having trouble transitioning from 3G to 4G and it may be that they bit off too much with it’s epic 200 city roll out. But the battery life issue, which has delayed the HTC Thunderbolt even after the marketing campaign has begun hasn’t helped either. But one thing seems certain, Verizon will have these phones and their 4g/LTE network out by the end of the 2nd quarter come hell of high water. Question is, will customers be happy with the result?
[via ZDNet]
end of the second quarter??? i have been waiting since february for this baby. i feel like ive been in labor for three weeks. COME ON VERIZON
@ sumsum……PUSH!!!
Didn’t they promise a 4G phone out in the first quarter?
thats what i thought, im phoneless at the moment and i dont want to sit around on a shitty phone for 3 months
im right there with ya