May 26, 2011 11:51 GMT  ·  By

Wireless services provider US Cellular has just confirmed the upcoming availability of HTC Merge on its airwaves starting with May 31st.

The mobile phone was long rumored to make it on the company's networks during the ongoing year, and things have been confirmed now, through a post on the carrier's Facebook page.

“Facebook exclusive! The Android-powered HTC Merge is officially launching on May 31! UPS trucks will start arriving at stores starting tomorrow so call your local U.S. Cellular location for availability,” the wireless carrier announced.

“The HTC Merge has an updated Sense UI which gives you the ability to remote wipe your device if it is lost, by simply logging onto a Web site. Never worry about your information falling into the wrong hands again.”

The HTC Merge features a large 3.8-inch touchscreen display, complemented by a side-sliding QWERTY keyboard, the same as the HTC Desire Z sports, since it is nothing else than the CDMA version of the latter.

The mobile phone would include features and hardware specs similar to those of the already available mobile phone, including a Qualcomm MSM7630 processor, or a five-megapixel photo snapper on the back, with video recording capabilities.

The new mobile phone would also include a microSD memory card slot for expanding the available memory, as well as GPS receiver, and support for a wide range of Google Mobile Services.

The HTC Merge runs under Google's Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, and is expected to hit the shelves at US Cellular with a price tag of $249.99 attached to it (before a $100 mail-in rebate), with the signing of a two-year contract agreement.

US Cellular becomes the second wireless carrier in the United States to launch the new mobile phone on its airwaves, following the availability of Merge through Alltel Wireless.

The mobile phone was also expected to make an appearance on shelves at Verizon, but the wireless carrier still has to make a move in this direction.