Telecom Lead Asia: Chinese phone maker ZTE is aiming to gain market share in America’s rapidly growing 4G LTE market.
ZTE has tied up with MetroPCS Communications to launch the first 4G LTE Android smartphone from ZTE in the United States.
ZTE’s 4G LTE strategies are aimed at enhancing its smartphone range. Global 4G LTE subscribers will be reaching 73.3 million by the end of 2012, up 334 percent from 16.9 million in 2011, according to a report by IHS iSuppli.
Priced at $219, the Anthem 4G will be available at MetroPCS stores and online in the coming weeks.
ZTE is launching its 4G device in the U.S. at a time when the entire world is looking for Apple iPhone 5 with LTE features.
“As our first U.S. 4G LTE smartphone, we’re proud to launch the Anthem 4G with our long-time partner MetroPCS because we share their goal of providing consumers with outstanding value and a strong 4G LTE experience,” said Lixin Cheng, CEO, ZTE USA, and president, North America Region, ZTE.
By 2016, 4G LTE subscribers will reach nearly 1.2 billion.
Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola, Pantech and Fujitsu are the top 6 LTE 4G phone makers in the world in Q4 2011.
In Q4 2011, around 4.1 million LTE phones were sold globally. Samsung, LG and Pantech took a combined 68 percent of the global LTE sales in Q4, according to Strategy Analytics.
American telecom giants such as Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile are in the process of expanding their 4G LTE reach. In Asia, several mobile operators are aggressively planning their launches to improve revenue from mobile broadband.
ZTE said Anthem 4G features 4G LTE connectivity, a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor and a 4.3” WVGA capacitive touchscreen.
Available with any of MetroPCS’ tax and regulatory fee-inclusive 4G LTE service plans ranging from $40 – $70 per month and including the new $55 unlimited 4G LTE promotional plan, the ZTE Anthem 4G makes it possible for value-conscious customers to experience the power of MetroPCS’ 4G LTE network.
