Telstra has announced that it will be bringing out its first 4G phone running Windows Phone, parterning with HTC to bring the TITAN 4G to Australia – beating the Lumia 900 (which has been announced on Optus, but will run on its 3G network as opposed to its upcoming 4G LTE network) as the first WP7 phone for Australia.
The HTC TITAN 4G features a 4.7-inch display running on a 1.5GHz processor, a 16-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, autofocus and image stailisation, and features the latest version of Windows Phone – version 7.5 Mango.
HTC was the first phone manufacturer to produce a 4G phone for Telstra, with the HTC Velocity 4G. That phone has been wildly successful for Telstra – and now we’re seeing that slowly expand with more phones.
Consumers can get the phone for $0 upfront on its $79 Freedom Connect plan under a 24 month contract – and this will get you 2GB of data, $800 worth of calls and unlimited SMS. Business customers can also get this under its $79 Business Mobile Maximiser plan, which has the same features as above, for $0 upfront.
It will come out on May 29 – next Tuesday. Full press release below:
TELSTRA AND HTC TO LAUNCH AUSTRALIA’S FIRST 4G WINDOWS PHONE
24 May 2012 — Windows Phone fans will soon be able to surf the mobile web, respond to email and access work documents faster than before on the HTC Titan4G – Australia’s first 4G Windows Phone which launches next Tuesday 29 May on the Telstra Mobile Network.
Will Irving, Group Managing Director, Telstra Business said HTC Titan 4G is the first business-geared 4G smartphone to launch in Australia.
“Australian small businesses have embraced smartphones to help them work where they want and to stay responsive to customers and new business opportunities. The launch of the nation’s first 4G Windows Phone means small businesses can perform even more advanced tasks from the palms of their hands – like handling larger emails on the go, capturing and sending high-resolution images and video and accessing emerging cloud-hosted services direct from their smartphone screen. Best of all, Windows Phone is incredibly easy to navigate and immediately familiar to anyone who uses Microsoft’s popular Office software,” Mr Irving said.
“We were the first company to launch Australia’s first 4G smartphone – the HTC Velocity 4G – and we are very proud to have chalked up another first by introducing Australia’s first 4G-enabled Windows Phone, the HTC Titan 4G,” said Ben Hodgson, Country Manager, HTC Australia and New Zealand. We have already seen how 4G speeds improve the smartphone experience and when you include the benefits of an easy user interface, a 16 megapixel camera and all the great Microsoft applications, you have a really compelling smartphone.”
Megan Howard, Windows Phone Lead, Microsoft Australia commented on the launch: “ We are thrilled to have the HTC Titan 4G added to the Windows Phone portfolio – adding more speed and power to the platform’s capabilities. Microsoft is dedicated to providing consumers with choice and variety when it comes to their phone options and the platform’s first 4G capable handset is key to that offering.
“Microsoft also has the fastest growing app marketplace in the country with more than 80,000 apps ranging across productivity with Lync, Skype and SkyDrive, practical apps like Go Catch and Pizza Hut and fun with Xbox LIVE,” Megan said.
The HTC Titan 4G enhances connectivity, efficiency and productivity for busy people, with its large on-screen keyboard and built-in Microsoft® Office Mobile software. Customers can use mobile email with Exchange ActiveSync to view work emails by conversation and to view all, unread, flagged, or urgent messages. In addition they can search for emails that aren’t stored on their phone but are available on their email server.
Owners can also access, change, and share Office documents and notes easier and faster when in 4G coverage areas. The built-in Office Hub brings together Office documents and notes in one convenient place. Customers can take and sync notes using OneNote Mobile and easily view, edit, comment on, and sync Office documents back to their SkyDrive.
Packed with advanced imaging technology, the HTC Titan 4G features a 16-megapixel camera, a wide-angle lens, autofocus, dual LED flash, red eye reduction, image stabilisation, a backside-illuminated sensor and a physical camera button, allowing customers to leave digital point-and-shoot cameras at home. The HTC Titan 4G delivers a number of features that HTC has developed to help people capture perfect photos in a variety of conditions; for instance, panoramic shot for sweeping landscapes and burst shot for action photography.
Customers using the HTC Titan 4G in 4G coverage areas (capital city CBDs, associated airports and more than 80 additional regional and metropolitan locations) can access typical download speeds ranging from 2Mbps to 40Mbps and typical upload speeds from 1Mbps to 10Mbps. When outside 4G coverage areas the Titan 4G uses HSPA+ Dual Channel technology to serve up Australia’s fastest 3G download speeds which range from 1.1Mbps-20Mbps in all capital CBDs and much of the associated metropolitan areas and many regional locations. Outside these areas speed ranges will be less.
HTC Titan 4G Key Features:
- Lightning fast 4G speeds in 4G coverage areas
- Windows® Phone 7.5 OS
- 4.7 inch WVGA super LCD capacitive screen
- 16-megapixel camera with dedicated button, auto focus and dual LED flash; 1.3 megapixel front facing camera
- 1.5 GHz processor
- 720p HD video recording to capture video with incredible quality and detail
Pricing and availability:
The HTC Titan 4G is available from Telstra Stores and online from Tuesday 29 May.
Business customers can purchase the HTC Titan 4G for $0 upfront after using their MRO bonus on our $79 Business Mobile Maximiser™ Plan. This includes $800 worth of national calls and MMS, unlimited SMS to standard Australian numbers and 2GB of data for use in Australia each month. Min cost over 24 months is $1,896.
Consumer customers can purchase the HTC Titan 4G for $0 upfront on the $79 Freedom® Connect Plan (after using an included MRO Bonus), with $800 worth of included calls and MMS, unlimited SMS and 2GB of data, all to standard Australian numbers (excludes use overseas) each month. Min cost over 24 months is $1,896.
4G coverage is currently available in all capital CBDs (meaning within 5km from the GPO), associated airports and selected regional areas (meaning within 3km from the regional town centre). For details on 4G coverage locations, visit: www.telstra.com/
mobilebbcoverage .