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HTC Thunderbolt, Verizon 4G LTE Phones Not Launching Until Summer?

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According to Verizon’s CTO, Verizon’s first 4G LTE phones will launch before the second half of 2011.The HTC Thunderbolt is one of the most-anticipated phones of the year and there have been several signs that the phone would be launched earlier rather than later.

We’ve written about quite a few Verizon Thunderbolt rumored launch dates, but Verizon has yet to announce an official release date. The best Verizon’s said thus far is that LTE phones would launch during the first half of 2011. Verizon CTO Tony Melone spoke at an investors conference and  it appears he tried to downplay any perceived delay of 4G phone launches on the network:

I guess our expectations change, but we had said first half of this year at CES, quite frankly, we think that exceeded people’s expectations. A year ago, people didn’t believe that there would be LTE smartphones in 2011. 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…

And as I said, you are going to see LTE smartphones on the network as promised, before the first half — before the second half of the year, by the end of the second quarter.

In PR/IR speak, that sounds to me like they’re on track for releasing the Thunderbolt and or some other 4G LTE phone on June 30…maybe. Keep in mind that as an executive, Melone is obligated to provide accurate information when he speaks publicly to avoid getting slapped by the SEC for violating disclosure regulations.

The Thunderbolt was originally announced at CES 2011, but Verizon hasn’t announced an official launch date. Since then, there have been several rumors of the Thunderbolt being released soon.

On February 6, Best Buy began taking pre-orders for the device for $50. Thunderbolt commercials from both HTC and Verizon have been airing nationwide and were briefly published on YouTube. Best Buy, the ‘exclusive’ nationwide Thunderbolt retailer also Tweeted an update indicating it would go on sale this month. An HTC rep we spoke to insisted that the Thunderbolt would be launched March 4…or a week later at most. Yesterday, a Verizon slide leaked that showed that the Thunderbolt would have to wait until after the iPad 2 was launched on the network. Verizon and Best Buy reps have also taken their best guesses at when the Thunderbolt will go on sale.

So far, Verizon has been pretty quiet on the issue and continues to try and keep a lid on the Thunderbolt release date rumors. The company’s even gone as far asking Thunderbolt fans to move on to other topics.

I can understand if Verizon needs more time to work on its 4G network before unleashing the Thunderbolt on it, but why run commercials three or four months early? And why oh why would you want to launch the Thunderbolt in the same time frame as the iPhone 5?

Verizon’s latest Tweet on the Thunderbolt/4G LTE  issue is above.

Quote via ZDNET

117 Comments

117 Comments

  1. Greg

    03/09/2011 at 6:22 pm

    Why does Apple get first dibs on everything? The ipad was just announced last week and is coming out this week, pushing back something that was announced months ago. This is ridiculous.

    Next they’ll delay the Thunderbolt so as not to get in the way of iphone5 release. What about those of us who don’t even live in 4G areas and just don’t want to buy a phone that will be rendered obsolete with the release of Thunderbolt – regardless of 4G speeds.

    • JD

      03/09/2011 at 8:17 pm

      EXACTLY! 4G won’t be available until 2013 in my area

      • Da Kingfish

        03/13/2011 at 1:08 am

        If it was me , i would rush right out and put my order in for one so u will be ready in 2 more years, lol.

    • Anonymous

      03/10/2011 at 1:03 am

      I notice that this article says phones. So this means we can expect at least 2 LTE phone on or before 6/30/2011? We already new that the Bionic is suppose to come out 2nd Quarter 2011. This also makes it sound like they are not sure if the Thunderbolt will make it by the end of the month, thus the Q2 (first half of the year) estimate. It is possible that they are really having issues with their LTE network.

      I highly doubt at this point it is an issue with the phones. Sure LTE might be a huge power drain on a smartphone, but companies like HTC and Motorola already knew this. What I think, is that there have been LTE exploits and security vulnerabilities exposed that Verizon wants to fix first. It is also quite possible the government is part of the delay… with the whole LTE interference thing.

      • James

        03/10/2011 at 3:23 am

        I really hope it’s an issue with the phone mainly the battery. HTC and VZ don’t seem to listen to patient complaints. How do you justify placing a 1400mAh batter in the thunderbolt? And, I don’t care if the processor is more efficient. The HTC Incredible has a 1300mAh battery and it’s terrible, I know because that’s my current phone. If you look at the verizon’s page on the reviews, everyone complains of serious battery life issue. Battery technology is improving just as phones are. Just look at Apple, placing lithium polymer instead of lithium ion batteries that are much better. Why can’t HTC do this??? At the least put a larger mAh battery. 1400mAh is unacceptable! Thus, I hope it’s a battery issue even though I know they’re going to keep that shit 1400mAh battery.

  2. Rwssoccer1

    03/09/2011 at 6:25 pm

    I still dont see your connection to a summer release date…itl be out when its announced to be out..which hasnt happened (no official release date!)

  3. edsjunk

    03/09/2011 at 6:27 pm

    If this is true, goodbye Big Red!! My contract has been up and I dont live in a 4G area and have been waiting to upgrade for this phone. I should have listened to everyone else when they kept telling me to move to Sprint and get an Evo. At the MINIMUM Verizon should at least answer the publics questions and give a solid “official” estimate as to when their products are released other the Apple’s. This speculation and arrogance by the VZW officials is going to make them lose customers, IMO.

    • Brandon

      03/09/2011 at 6:41 pm

      a solid official estimate?

      • James

        03/09/2011 at 9:24 pm

        I think you’re right in saying that we should wait until the 4G network is up and ready, and not be upset at verizon or htc because of silly rumors. However, you can’t blame people for being excited about a phone that HTC and VZ have not only stated is coming very soon but have even made a commercial advertisement for. Apple is not coming out with adds saying the iphone 5 is coming soon when it won’t even be here unitl the summer. Both parties have reasonable arguments and in the future, VZ and HTC should do a better job of communication.

    • Bill

      03/09/2011 at 7:18 pm

      The report above is full of accurate statements. The first 1/2 of 2011 is what VZ has always said and others who have made things up to get readers should be ashamed of themselves. Perhaps HTC felt VZ was ready as perhaps VZ did but the network apparently showed major flaws that could not be fixed overnight. Note, last Sunday HTC returned to advertising the VZ HTC Incredible instead of the “Thunderblunder” it had been advertising. VZ would be wrong to start selling 4G products until it clears the new 3G products like the iPhone, ZOOM and iPad 2 and perhaps more 3G products since who will buy 3G after 4G is available. They will need to move as many 3G items off their shelves before starting 4G products and should have more than one to sell. They therefore delay until the Moto 4G Bionic phone is also available too. They are looking at a LONG term marketting stratigy and have released more new products recently than normal. Think of how many unhappy there would be who recently bought 3G and then on the heals 4G came out. Even the ZOOM which was designed as a 4G product was released in 3G to get it on the market. If 4G was going to be available soon, the Zoom would have been released in 4G

      • Brent

        03/09/2011 at 10:26 pm

        Good points. I spoke to a Best Buy employee today and he told me they received an email from a Verizon rep. that said the thunderbolt will be available on “a Thursday,” it could be tomorrow (not likely) or by June. Also he mentioned the VZW rep told him that there is an update for the thunderbolt. Rather than releasing the phone and having people update over the air, HTC took all of the phones back to update in house. I have no credible information to support this claim, but i think the phone will be out by April or early May at the latest (hopefully)!

    • Steve

      03/09/2011 at 8:14 pm

      Droid X is ten times the phone an Evo is. Ignore specs even. Use both phones for a couple days. You’ll see. Sprints network isn’t so hot either.

      I would go ATT. I’m sticking with VZW, but I am rather upset so I don’t blame you. The Inspire and Atrix are fantastic phones, try one of them out.

    • Brawlman

      03/09/2011 at 8:29 pm

      edsjunk
      If you don’t live in a 4G area why would you purchase the “TB”?
      Everyone keeps saying the Sprint EVO 4G is the same as the “TB”, but its storage & memory is smaller in comparison to the “TB” @
      Storage Space: (no contest, TB the winner w/ 7GB additional storage & 32MB micro SD)
      EVO-1GB onboard; 8GB microSD pre-installed
      TB-8GB onboard; 32 GB microSD pre-installed
      Memory: (Winner TB, by 256MB) EVO- RAM: 512MB TB-RAM: 768MB
      Hang in there, VZ’s 4G is far superior to Sprints WiMax. I have friends that have done work on the actual system, tested it and is ready. Now, if we can only get a phone to use it on…
      Likewise, the 4G system is new and limited in its area, but will not always be like this. Get a 4G phone and in 2 years you’ll be ready for a newer phone on their improved network.
      The only issue I have is WHY did they cut the battery size down to 1400mAh (1,000mAh less)???
      I know 4G is suppose to be efficient with the battery life, BUT when you aren’t in 4G and your phone is searching for one, you will suffer…
      I personally will get what ever VZ 4G phone comes out first, preferably the Samsung 4G LTE, and give the TB a test run (30days). Why? because of the battery size. Will VZ/ HTC offer an extended battery like the HTC EVO, time will tell?
      The “Sammy” offers a better screen for outdoor visibility and and a reported 1500mAh battery

      • Sifatulikihihifo

        03/09/2011 at 10:42 pm

        i wouldn’t recommend “testing” the TB for 30 days… since VZW changed their return policy to just 14 days.

  4. Jrer34

    03/09/2011 at 6:32 pm

    Its ridiculous for Best Buy to start taking pre-orders on a phone that they have no clue when its coming out. Its hard to believe they do not know when it will come out. They should at least issue some sort of statement directed at those who were devoted enough to pre-order their device. Starting pre-orders indicates that its coming soon so if its not then they need to let people know in a more specific statement. I don’t know too many people that would pre-order a phone 5 months in advance. that would be pretty unnecessary. I would not have bought a pre-paid phone and put my SIM card in it to hold me over (my G1 broke towards the end of December) but i did because of the pre-order. I think they are just saying before the end of 2nd quarter because then if it comes out before they can brag about how good of a job they did getting it out ahead of schedule. But most likely they just only care about Apple and probably arent putting much effort into getting this phone out.

  5. Coley

    03/09/2011 at 6:37 pm

    The only problem I have with Verizon’s statement is that they need to get the store employees on track! If they keep claiming that they are not delayed because they have not officially given a release date, than WHY have I been told timeframes by several different Verizon store employees?

    • Jrer34

      03/09/2011 at 6:40 pm

      and why would they allow best buy to start taking pre-orders on the device? we are getting the run-around left and right

      • Tim

        03/09/2011 at 8:16 pm

        I think once Best Buy starter doing so well in the cellphone market, the stand-alone stores are starting to fight back a bit. Doesn’t surprise me they didn’t keep Best Buy in the “loop”. Verizon even prevents Best Buy from selling the Droid 2 Global just because they are “fighting”

    • Chloe

      03/09/2011 at 9:23 pm

      Seriously! I have heard February 14th, February 24, February 28, March 4th, and March 10th, all from people working at the stores.

      • Garrett Norman

        03/09/2011 at 10:24 pm

        I heard that too! Now I’m hearing March 17! :( I would HOPE that it comes out the 17th. BUT, VERIZON HASN’T SAID THAT SO I’M NOT BUYING IT! I’m gonna wait until the day it gets announced before pre-ordering it.

        • royally upset

          03/09/2011 at 10:45 pm

          i wish i did the same… going to vz to get my refund!

  6. Jrer34

    03/09/2011 at 6:37 pm

    Also, hopefully they havent gotten carried away with production of the phone because the longer they wait on this thing the less likely anyone will even want it. If its already being criticized as being very similar to the EVO, i cant imagine what people will think in June.

  7. ceecee

    03/09/2011 at 6:42 pm

    good bye verizon!!! im going to at&t!

    • Dlpjr44

      03/09/2011 at 7:04 pm

      me and you both. at least they are on track with their phones. dumbass verizon their goin to lose so many people to this crap

      • Ajohnson4sox

        03/09/2011 at 7:18 pm

        As bad as this seems you will hate yourself for signing with AT&T. I live in San Diego and it doesn’t work anywhere. And if you go to a major event with over 10000 people it will show that you have full service but won’t be able to connect to their system, which makes it very frustrating because you can’t even walk around searching for a usable signal. You’ll regret going to AT&T I promise. If available just get an Evo on sprints network. They were the first to 4g and I feel they’ll be the best. If it worked well at my folks house in Iowa I would still have sprint.

      • Suckit

        03/09/2011 at 8:02 pm

        The Thunderbolt is just an over priced Inspire or EVO.

  8. noforme

    03/09/2011 at 6:46 pm

    this phone is already becoming obsolete. The atrix is better than this phone in every way except for a kickstand. Plus sprint is getting the evo 3d soon which is the true upgrade to the evo. Seriuosly verizon and verizon customers, there’s no point to get this phone now.

    • Brawlman

      03/09/2011 at 8:37 pm

      People go with Big Red for one reason. The Network coverage is far superior to Sprints; this includes VZ’s 4G to Sprints WiMAX. Things will only get better w/ VZ’s 4G network, but know for a fact from a friend of mine who’s worked on T-Mobile, Metro and VZ’s 4G network. The speed tests consistent at 10mbs down and 5mbs up. It is still new and isn’t anywhere near ITU’s standard for 4G (“Peak data rates of up to approximately 100 Mbit/s for high mobility such as mobile access and up to approximately 1 Gbit/s for low mobility such as nomadic/local wireless access, according to the ITU requirements.”), BUT will get better.
      WINNER, “VZ”
      All we need to do is be patient and wait for a phone to come out. Forget all the hype from Best Buy, and other forums putting out their speculated release dates. Reported inside source release dates and simply wait for Big Red to put something out…

  9. ravenoushunger

    03/09/2011 at 6:46 pm

    I doubt they will wait until summer to release it. theres no evidence here that suggests it. it will probably be out by the end of the month

    • Seeteedub

      03/09/2011 at 8:20 pm

      I just heard from a Verizon manager in San Diego they’re waiting until the end of June. Thunderbolt…now obsolete.

  10. edolson

    03/09/2011 at 6:59 pm

    Surely Verizon has been aware of the Best Buy ads, TV commericials, articles, and numerous website threads about an early anticipated Thunderbolt release. If it were wrong all along, then tell us! If staggering ipads and iphones in disregard to their new Android phones is reason for the delay, then tell us! If they want greater 4G/LTE coverage and choose to release the phones later, then tell us! The consumers would just like some swift and honest communication. Otherwise, what are we to think other than Verizon heads are arrogant and only interested in a greater profit margin, in disregard of their loyal customers.

    • Nesska

      03/09/2011 at 8:08 pm

      I agree. Verizon is looking at this all the wrong way… this phone is more anticipated than the iPhone 4 was at launch. In fact, the amount of people who ported over to Verizon was substantially less than what was expected. They are putting way too much emphasize on Apple and they need to focus on what made them so popular in last 2 years. They will definitely be behind the curve when they release it like they were when the obtained the rights to the iPhone.

    • Nolatcher

      03/10/2011 at 6:50 pm

      VERIZON CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?:??

      • Da Kingfish

        03/13/2011 at 12:13 am

        Yes they have, and think i can detect the sound of laughter, listen real carefully, can u hear it!

  11. Greekboy

    03/09/2011 at 7:03 pm

    Check out YouTube by greekthuglife69 see Verizon treats their workers u already know how they treat u

    • Kerpelis

      03/10/2011 at 9:29 pm

      Re greek boy pios ise k apo pou ise?

  12. Paultcook

    03/09/2011 at 7:04 pm

    My perception is that they are waiting until they are ready to announce the new tiered usage plans. They will want to put the Thunderbolt on the new plan so they can make more money. The new tiered plan is due to happen this summer. Sounds like they are going to work it all as a new package to see how much more money they can squeeze out of us.

    • Romeoevens

      03/09/2011 at 7:50 pm

      it seems like they wanted to give all the data to iphone users and cap the real customers who were there since the beginning to please apple and a phone whose greatest improvement since its launch was adding a camera, the iphone is obsolete in my opinion i mean to not have flash and to add a camera on the 4gen model shows how slow people are.

  13. Bill

    03/09/2011 at 7:23 pm

    Verizon has received a lot of money in hardware sales with the release of the iPhone, ZOOM and now the iPad 2. Their hardware is more expensive than other cellular providers so look for them to wait for over a month, perhaps 2 for the release of the 4G phones. They don’t want a spike in sales for Feb/March then lower sales in the next quarter. It is all about the bottom line, NOT YOU.

    • Andrwdrew

      03/09/2011 at 10:08 pm

      Actually it is about us “The Customers”! Its us that keep verizon up and going so they need to stop prolonging this, its just getting ridiculous!

      • Da Kingfish

        03/12/2011 at 11:36 pm

        You are right, lets go to congress and demand that they force Verizon to sell them to us, better still we need to join the CPUOA union and march on the company, and riot in the streets, “Power to the customer” let’s “us” make China more money.

  14. Lee

    03/09/2011 at 7:27 pm

    So you’re leaving VZW for some perceived deception. Poor you. Verizon never stated a release date so what is the deception?
    Just sit in your climate controlled house, eat your fat laden food, sleep in a nice soft bed and SHUT UP! America has become a nation of whiners who don’t know adversity and want everything handed to them. This is my opinion, so stick it!

    • Jrer34

      03/09/2011 at 7:54 pm

      it may not be delayed but that doesnt make it ok for Best Buy to start pre-orders on a phone that may not come out until June. it is misleading and is bad business. simple as that

      • Steve

        03/09/2011 at 8:25 pm

        sounds more like best buys problem more than verizons

    • Romeoevens

      03/09/2011 at 7:56 pm

      you are so true but i mean if i told you i was going to sell you something you wanted it and i went around telling everyone about how great it was and then never gave you a reason for still talking about it and taking your money to hold one for you but didnt feel like you deserved a release date wouldnt be a little upset. this has nothing to do with american mentality it has more to do with a disrespectful company who refuse to give a straight forward answer which is all we are looking for

    • Seeteedub

      03/09/2011 at 8:21 pm

      Angry much…Verizon employee?

    • Anonymous

      03/10/2011 at 6:10 pm

      I do agree that the people getting mad and wanting to cancel is ridiculous. I also understand the frustration with the fact that Verizon already launched 2 commercials about this phone. I am doubtful though that with the facts at hand that this will be released too much longer. I would stated that since all Verizon Phones launch on a Thursday, it will launch some Thursday hopefully this month

    • Da Kingfish

      03/12/2011 at 11:22 pm

      Amen, bet they wished they lived in Japan right now.

  15. JustEL

    03/09/2011 at 7:27 pm

    The whole, “Verizon needs to move as many 3G phones off their shelves” argument would work, except for the fact that they havent released any new 3G phones other than the iPhone 4 in a long time. I just want to get rid of this damn BB Storm (my 7th one) which is a horrible excuse for a phone.

    • Ronnie43

      03/09/2011 at 7:43 pm

      My contract is up on my BB Storm and I want to move on to another phone. I wanted the TBolt but it apparently don’t exist.

  16. Dan

    03/09/2011 at 7:32 pm

    If they do not release until June, what a waste of advertising dollars to be airing National commercials on a prime time networks now. Most Americans don’t have the patients to wait 3+ months for a product release.

  17. Andy

    03/09/2011 at 7:36 pm

    Everyone is angry about this phone and the launch date, but the fault for all this misunderstanding has it best buy, because this store began to take orders without having the exact date of launch of this mobile phone, so Verizon has nothing tto do in this case, just wait for the release date because they never gave a date, the apple company has nothing to do with this problem if people want to leave verizon for this misunderstanding just do it and go sprint or att, but when the phone is available I hope people dont cry as they are doing now for the release date, just be mature there are more important things in life than a cell phone …

    • qwerty

      03/09/2011 at 7:41 pm

      when ur current phone is broken it becomes pretty important, it has nothing to do with maturity

      • Jrer34

        03/09/2011 at 7:58 pm

        i completely agree. i had to put my SIM card in a prepaid phone to hold me over until this phone comes out. i made that decision based off of best buy taking pre-orders which was obviously a mistake. I need a phone with email for work and i dont think anything about that makes me impatient or immature.

        • Da Kingfish

          03/12/2011 at 11:20 pm

          No, but it makes u look stupid for giving them your money.

      • Steve

        03/09/2011 at 8:28 pm

        yea but get a non 4g phone its not the end of the world if you dont have the best phone in the world for 3 months then a better one comes out and you want that phone

    • Romeoevens

      03/09/2011 at 8:00 pm

      Also this is not true i worked for verizon in the best buy stores as a rep and believe me my boss, the manager at best buy and his manager all said the same thing so the dates on line are not false just werent kept true in the since that thats what they were told by their respective bosses and it fell through. i mean ive even talked to an htcrep who had one in like feburary and he said it was ready on the 14 but they revamped the os to make it faster and it was supposed to be out on the 28 but even he dosent know whats going on now

    • La La Sing La

      03/10/2011 at 2:59 am

      I don’t think anyone should be angry at VZ for all the busted release date myths, that’s not fair. What I am upset about is the lack of communication from them. A huge part of customer service is addressing the concerns of your customers, which VZ has not yet done in a straightforward way. Ambiguous statements that don’t actually say much are only fanning the flames.

  18. simon88

    03/09/2011 at 7:38 pm

    The

  19. simon88

    03/09/2011 at 7:39 pm

    The second quarter of 2011 ends on March 31.

    • Pokerjoe152

      03/09/2011 at 7:55 pm

      Actually the first quarter of 2011 ands March 31st

      • Pokerjoe152

        03/09/2011 at 7:56 pm

        *ends

    • random

      03/09/2011 at 8:00 pm

      the first qtr ends 3/31, second qtr ends 06/30

      • Jrer34

        03/09/2011 at 8:08 pm

        1st Quarter: October 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010
        2nd Quarter: January 1, 2011 – March 31, 2011
        3rd Quarter: April 1, 2011 – June 30, 2011
        4th Quarter: July 1, 2011 – September 30, 2011

        • Jrer34

          03/09/2011 at 8:14 pm

          a buddy of mine just told me that this isnt accurate though.

        • Jrer34

          03/09/2011 at 8:14 pm

          a buddy of mine just told me that this isnt accurate though.

    • Jrer34

      03/09/2011 at 8:01 pm

      that really makes me wonder if they are talking about the fiscal year or not since he just said first half of the year. I didnt really think about that until i read your post. i still wont get my hopes up.

  20. Anonymous

    03/09/2011 at 7:55 pm

    Something is going on – Best Buy isn’t run by a group of idiots. Verizon apparently has some problem related to the HTC Thunderbolt that they are not telling us. It could be that the network isn’t working as planned, the switch between 3G and 4G isn’t working well or that there might be an issue with the Thunderbolt itself, which would be a little surprising given the EVO has been already done by HTC and there must be hundreds of thousands already manufactured… if not more.

    Nobody is talking and this isn’t necessarily great news. It might be a while until this phone debuts… hard to tell.

  21. Missdiva052

    03/09/2011 at 7:59 pm

    Lol for all those saying its not verizon fault are idiots. If verizon didn’t have anything to do with people getting anixous over this phone. Why did they start making commericals for a phone that’s supposedly coming out in the summer. Honestly who does that? They should have announced it as a phone coming out in the summer, so people aren’t sitting around biting there nails for a phone that should be out by now. So technically it does fall on Verizon they should clear up the misunderstanding, and they should have been clear when exactly the phone is going to come out. Who care about the iphone 4 or the ipad. Both overrated products, because its apple. Everyone wants to be cool with their iphones and ipads. The software for the iphone sucks. Verizon is just as much to blame.

  22. Ktbone00

    03/09/2011 at 8:00 pm

    People who got sucked into the pre-orders for the Thunderbolt should get their money back not a Best buy store credit card . and they should look into fault advertising n sue Best buy /

    • Missdiva052

      03/09/2011 at 8:01 pm

      You can actually get cash back. My bf already took back his pre order and they give you cash, and not store credit.

    • Jrer34

      03/09/2011 at 8:45 pm

      or you could just use the gift card they gave you for something else. thats my plan at least.

  23. Ypc20002

    03/09/2011 at 8:00 pm

    well big red hope the iphone was going to hit big but it went the drain when apple says it will release a ccheaper erison of the iphone and big red need to stats pad tye number for 1q reports so they are holding back and forcing ppl to get iphone in order to see big numbers on the 1q reports which will make their shares skyrocket

  24. dk

    03/09/2011 at 8:00 pm

    That headline is just dishonest and is not supported by anything in the article: first half of 2011 means spring, not summer. Better headline would be: “opinion: Verizon lying about Release date of Thunderbolt”

  25. Dbf0713

    03/09/2011 at 8:03 pm

    I think the whole idea of holding the thunderbolt back because of any 4g issues is crazy. I’m sure there are a lot more verizon customers in 3g areas than the few large cities that will get 4g coverage “when it is ready”. For the rest of us, we just want a “current” phone that can take advantage of new technologies (4g) if the ever become available during our contract period. Verizon really needs to wake up. If they think everyone buying a thunderbolt is doing so because of 4g, im afraid they are mistaken.

  26. Ktbone00

    03/09/2011 at 8:08 pm

    Oh i forgot …are u collecting interest on that 50 dollars that Best buy sucker out of you ?

  27. Brad Williamson

    03/09/2011 at 8:11 pm

    Oh, you silly bloggers with your link-bait headlines. You got me again! Thankfully, you’re full of it ;-)

  28. Gj96

    03/09/2011 at 8:15 pm

    From Best Buys point of view, this is not a bad deal, considering the economic times we are in. I’m sure they enjoy the delay and wish for it to continue. For every 1 million preorders it boils down to a fifty million interest free loan basically. You give them your fifty dollars for months on end and receive nothing . So sometimes you have to wonder with the buzz they seem to keep generating and their ads etc, makes you wonder what there true motives are. I could use a few hundred million interest free dollors for 2-6 months.

    • Anonymous

      03/09/2011 at 8:25 pm

      Not quite — with every word of a delay, more and more cost in processing refunds will occur and negative goodwill against BestBuy. In case you hadn’t heard, the word “bankruptcy” was mentioned in the same sentence recently. Normally I’d agree with you but I’m not sure this is the case if the delay goes longer than one more week to 10 days…

  29. Gj96

    03/09/2011 at 8:15 pm

    From Best Buys point of view, this is not a bad deal, considering the economic times we are in. I’m sure they enjoy the delay and wish for it to continue. For every 1 million preorders it boils down to a fifty million interest free loan basically. You give them your fifty dollars for months on end and receive nothing . So sometimes you have to wonder with the buzz they seem to keep generating and their ads etc, makes you wonder what there true motives are. I could use a few hundred million interest free dollors for 2-6 months.

  30. JD

    03/09/2011 at 8:15 pm

    YSA! I need a new phone, and now have to wait ANOTHER 4 months

  31. Oneryricky

    03/09/2011 at 8:59 pm

    Verizon as usual seems to have their heads deeply entrenched in their rear ends.Their customer service via land line & in person is disgusting to put it mildly.

  32. Bobandmary

    03/09/2011 at 9:00 pm

    Ditching my iPhone and my hopes for TB on Vz. Got me a LG Optimus V with $25 voice and unlimited data/texting. Why should I pay $$ to ATT or Vz?

  33. Treslobo

    03/09/2011 at 9:03 pm

    at&t is not that great either people, one of my friends has at&t and hes a iphone junkie his contract is up and hes switching to Verizon because of the unlimited data plan. according to him at&t dose not have a unlimited data plan and make you pay per GB, so unless you like having to watch your internet usage for the month and knowing you cant get on the internet for the last week of the month without going over than at&t is for you

    • Mike Smith

      03/10/2011 at 4:31 am

      This is true, But rest assured, I am a very heavy downloader, app installer, and video streamer. You have wifi on the device. It automatically detects and connects to all AT&T hotspots, and there are a lot more of these than Verizon, I can tell you that. Last month my monthly data usage was 984 MB. So 2GB of data is quite a lot. So really no need to have unlimited data. Again, another Verizon customer bashing AT&T that really has no clue. They are competitors people and they bash each other, that is what they do. It does not mean one is better than the other and location plays a big part. I have had both, and they each have their own set of problems.

  34. Nofanofdeb

    03/09/2011 at 9:04 pm

    There has GOT to be something very, very, wrong with this phone or the whole 4G LTE thing. Verizon is looking very,very,very bad here. Even if the TB came out TODAY, I wouldn’t get one – I’d be very leery of it.

    • Da Kingfish

      03/12/2011 at 11:09 pm

      Exactly, just look at the 4G coverage map, if you don’t live in one of a handful of cities(39) according to their map, u might as well be carrying a brick.

  35. Wowings

    03/09/2011 at 9:43 pm

    If Verizon waits until June to release the Thunderbolt a lot of folks who would have bought the Thunderbolt may reconsider and wait for Verizon’s iphone 5. If I were the CEO of HTC Iwould be irate. Bill

  36. smrtrthnu

    03/09/2011 at 9:47 pm

    This site is just about as reliable as the national enquirer. Get some real facts before you go saying you get another release date from a “reliable source”

  37. Jim's take

    03/09/2011 at 10:08 pm

    Why doesn’t verizon or Best Buy provide the thunder bolt customers, who make a deposit, an htc Incredible free at no charge so at least can learn the htc user interface until the thunderbolt comes out. Then we can turn in our old htc for the new thunderbolt? what a concept.

  38. llbels

    03/09/2011 at 10:17 pm

    Verizons equipment continues to stay behind the times. done waiting on the Thunder Disappointment. They’re in danger of becoming the most dependable network utilizing rotary dial phones. I’m moving on to someone else.

  39. Gobbles1980

    03/09/2011 at 10:32 pm

    I work for verizon in sales department and we/I rcvd a memo that we aren’t allowed to discuss release dates because in short they want it to be a surprise. But not official we are hearing late march it will come out. Sorry for the good/bad news on how you look at it.

  40. ArtVandelay

    03/09/2011 at 10:46 pm

    The import of this announcement is clear: Verizon has dealt dishonestly with its customers,and really doesn’t know when or if it will ever get a 4G network operating for handsets. Meanwhile, ATT, Sprint, T-Mobil, all have 4G…

  41. Maxiwellz

    03/09/2011 at 10:56 pm

    Its going to be released st the end of the month. Dont let this article fool you.. this is coming straight from verizon.

    • Abel

      03/09/2011 at 11:31 pm

      I would believe that when the sun rise from the west, and the water in my faucet flows up instead of down.

      This marks the end of the Thunderbolt, and Verizon can kiss a lot of people goodbye with their dishonest tactics. Lightening (as well as thunderbolts) never strikes the same place twice.

      • kukuk

        03/10/2011 at 1:49 am

        and NO thunderbolts in the summer lol

  42. Joelugog

    03/09/2011 at 11:04 pm

    Who cares anymore! I was one of the first ones to go and pre-order the same day they started taking them. And honestly who cares anymore. This whole thing is pretty annoying, and specially Verizon. HTC can’t grow a pair, I’m just gonna wait for the Motorola Droid bionic, If there gonna take that long to release it.

  43. Be patient

    03/09/2011 at 11:15 pm

    Grammar anyone? Let’s pretend we all are grown-ups and speak like them. Thank you.

  44. sam

    03/09/2011 at 11:23 pm

    Release the Incredible 2, I’ll go with that.

    • Buck

      03/10/2011 at 12:25 am

      3G for two years? Have at ‘er, pal!

      • Da Kingfish

        03/12/2011 at 10:59 pm

        3 years, i will put money on the fact that it will be 4 years before 4G gets out of the slum cities and out to the good people, ha ha ha

  45. Gaby

    03/09/2011 at 11:34 pm

    People make a big deal about “4G”. There isn’t a “4G” yet people. It’s just a selling gimmick. Read this article and find out: https://money.cnn.com/2010/12/01/technology/4g_myth/index.htm
    Quite disappointing that they try to sell us all that garbage. It’s not real. Not even close to the real 4G. Not by a long shot.

  46. Buck

    03/10/2011 at 12:25 am

    I’m on AT&T and my contract ended at the end of January. The network sucks, but I’m waiting on an LTE phone w/ Verizon (even though LTE isn’t yet available to my area). Yeah, I’ll take a hit in speed dropping down from an HSPA+ network to an EVDO network, but I’m more concerned about future-proofing. Plus, I’ve read bad things about the upload speed on the only other phone I’d consider that’s currently available (Atrix 4G). So, I’m a little annoyed by the Tbolt not being released as soon as expected, but it’s not like I’m not going to switch to Verizon. I’m just going to hope that they have these issues ironed out sooner rather than later. For now, I’ll hold off on reading all these daily/hourly/minutely rumor mill articles and just wait until Verizon sends me that e-mail…

  47. DonDon

    03/10/2011 at 1:01 am

    The verizon store I deal with told me the end of the month it will be out. They are fixing a problem with the phone so the people don’t have to when the get them. This is going to be a great phone. I’m am waiting for the TB. No other company is as good as Verizon so why would I change? 3/31/11 it will be out. I know its hard to wait but it will be worth it.

    • Mike Smith

      03/10/2011 at 4:23 am

      DonDon, Wrong…It depends on where you live. Verizon is not the King of Anything. Florida is known for Sprint. They have the best service down there. AT&T is just bashed by Verizon because they are competitors. I have had them all. Verizon and AT&T are very close. I can say this, Verizon makes their customers feel intimidated and are very condescending. I had more dropped calls with Verizon vs AT&T. In NC I could tell you like clockwork where my cell would cut off on Verizon. Not true of AT&T. So unless you have done extensive research as I have in multiple states are regions, stop bashing AT&T. And yes I want a Thunderbolt because of the phone features. I would get an Inspire if it had the FFC. But it doesn’t. And like I said, Verizon is neck and neck with AT&T not better.

      • Brawlman

        03/11/2011 at 12:34 pm

        Mike,
        One thing we all will have to see in Verizon’s 4G LTE is how well their exclusive 700MHz band will work indoors. It has been documented by ITU on Wikipedia (I believe under LTE Advanced) of how it will offer better penetration/ coverage in buildings. IF this pans out, it will offer a much needed relief of poor coverage in buildings

  48. random541

    03/10/2011 at 1:27 am

    First half of the year means any time Jan-June…which by the way INCLUDES this month. Nothing in that statement says summer. Stop spreading misinformation. Verizon has been quoted as saying the TB would release “very shortly”. This, to me, does not indicate summer. If I were a rabid rumor spreading blogger I suppose I should jump to conclusions as you have done and state this means tomorrow?

  49. TurdFerguson

    03/10/2011 at 3:43 am

    MAJOR UPDATE! I just found out that the Thunderbolt will not be released tomorrow! I repeat – the Thunderbolt will NOT be released tomorrow. However, there will be several dozen blog postings confirming the same. Thank you for your support……

  50. P-Nice

    03/10/2011 at 5:40 am

    I’m done waiting. I need a capable smart phone now. Frankly, I’m sick of the rumors n’ dooky. I’m getting a Droid X today and b e done with all this 4G mumbo jumbo.

  51. FoolishBloggers

    06/07/2011 at 8:46 pm

    Majority of you posters are looking pretty foolish now *rolleyes

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