Skip to main content

Metro PCS launches first 4g LTE network

Samsung-Epic
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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.

Editors' Recommendations

Laura Khalil
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Laura is a tech reporter for Digital Trends, the editor of Dorkbyte and a science blogger for PBS. She's been named one of…
Qualcomm launches new Snapdragon 5G and 4G mid-tier chipsets
qualcomm snapdragon 778G+ 695 480+ 680 5G 4G MOBILE PLATFORM

Qualcomm usually refreshes its mid-range Snapdragon chipsets once a year. Breaking tradition, the chipmaker has now announced mid-cycle upgrades to several chipsets in the Snapdragon 7xx, 6xx, and 4xx series. The new launches include three 5G-enabled mobile platforms, including Snapdragon 778G Plus 5G, Snapdragon 695 5G, and Snapdragon 480 Plus 5G. Launched alongside these chipsets with 5G connectivity is the Snapdragon 680 with only 4G connectivity.

The Snapdragon 778G Plus and the Snapdragon 480 Plus offer minor upgrades over the Snapdragon 778G and 480 chipsets released earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon 695 and the Snapdragon 680 are new additions to Qualcomm's lineup of mobile platforms. All of these offer minor upgrades instead of anything major as part of the company's fallback plan to keep its lineup refreshed despite the global semiconductor crisis.

Read more
LTE vs. 4G: The differences explained

When it comes to wireless broadband standards, there are many acronyms to keep track of. However, few are more important than LTE and 4G. Knowing the difference between 4G and LTE (and now 5G) might give you a better basis of knowledge when you upgrade your phone or cell carrier. The discussion below outlines the basics.

Related reads

Read more
13 best tech deals you can shop today — including a cheap 70-inch 4K TV
The 70-inch TCL 70S430 4K TV, with several streaming services, shows, and movies displayed on the screen.

There's no shortage of tech deals from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Dell, and Walmart, so if you're planning to do some shopping today, you should take advantage of these discounts to rack up the savings. These offers include laptop deals, headphone deals, iPad deals, AirPods deals, 4K TV deals, and so much more, covering anything and everything you may need.

Whether you're searching for a specific product, or you're hoping to discover the missing piece to your computer or home theater setup, there are discounts waiting for you if you're patient enough to look through all the offers. To help you out, here are some of the best tech deals that are currently available across different retailers -- hopefully there's something here that catches your eye.
Fire TV Stick 4K – $35, was $50

Read more