HTC and Verizon jointly announced on January 7, 2011 the release of the new 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) Smartphone at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) held in Las Vegas, according to the China Times of Taiwan. Dubbed HTC ThunderBolt, the Smartphone, featuring Android 2.2, is reported to be sold exclusively through Verizon. HTC ThunderBolt is said to be Verizon's first LTE Smartphone. Price tag of HTC ThunderBolt is yet to be disclosed.

Verizon officially launched its 4G LTE network on December 5, 2010 in the United States. It is reported that Verizon's LTE network covers one-third of the US population.