Metro PCS launches first 4g LTE network

September 21, 2010 By Laura Khalil

MetroPCS has leapfrogged its way into cutting-edge technology, being the first US carrier to offer 4g LTE.

MetroPCS has become the nation’s first 4G LTE carrier and released the world’s first LTE phone, the Samsung Craft. It is the first commercially available LTE network in the U.S., as reported by PC Magazine.

LTE is next-generation wireless technology for cell phone carriers. All the major carriers will be switching to over the next few years since it will offer more speed, more capacity and more flexibility.

MetroPCS plans to offer service for a mere $55-60 per month, without a contract. The company is rolling LTE service out first in Las Vegas on the Samsung Craft, with full coverage across its network by the end of the year. The Samsung Craft is $299, making this a very reasonable, cutting-edge option for one of the smaller US carriers to offer.

The Craft comes with a built-in 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and camcorder. Additionally, the Craft includes a 2GB microSD card. The handset’s feature set is completed by a music player, Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth and microSD memory storage up to 32GB.

Metro’s initial 4G offering looks similar to 3G. The Samsung Craft be able to surf the Web, streams TV programs, and downloads music at 3G-like speeds. This is all new for MetroPCS, which never offered 3G, and it brings it up to par with the 3G services on other carriers.

Showing 4 comments

Tony P in Fort Worth at 10:25am 30th October 2010 To SunnySIdeSlim: It's 4G because it's using 4th GENERATION technology if not the speeds that that larger carriers will be offering soon. To AVH: Yes, I saw that the phone pic was of a Sprint version. What's going on there?! It weakens the credibility of this site if they act like they don't know what they're writing about with the wrong photo. Who's the editor for this article. Time for a refresher class on content review focusing on "What's wrong with this picture?" To Sarah, McL: How old are you? "Tight?" That tells us nothing. More words...more words. Use your words. Tell us more. Just because you have it means noting to me. Why are you excited about it? I honestly would like to know more. Now to my opinion: MetroPCS is a solid company with good service in location where they have coverage. If I never moved around, I'd still be with them. I was with them for five years before I became too busy to be tethered down to specific regions of the USA. I'm actually happy for them to start 4G coverage but now they really should focus on NATIONAL coverage and better handsets. I'm staying with Verizon for now.
SunnysideSlim at 4:11pm 22nd September 2010 "Metro’s initial 4G offering looks similar to 3G. The Samsung Craft be able to surf the Web, streams TV programs, and downloads music at 3G-like speeds. This is all new for MetroPCS, which never offered 3G, and it brings it up to par with the 3G services on other carriers." I don't get it. why then is it called 4G service?
AVH at 6:09pm 21st September 2010 Oh well !! good news because Metro PCS' internet sucks, I'm looking forward to have 4g contract with metro. Other thing editors.... the phone photo it is with another carrier..... nobody saw that?????
sarah mclaugling at 6:06pm 21st September 2010 This phone is tight cause i have one just like it.