Dec 1, 2010 21:01 GMT  ·  By

Today, mobile phone carrier MetroPCS announced the launch of its LTE network in the San Francisco metropolitan area, offering users the possibility to enjoy 4G LTE services at prices starting at $55 per month.

Moreover, MetroPCS' 4G LTE network also brings to this market the first commercially available 4G LTE handset, the Samsung Craft.

On top of that, the 4G LTE network enables users the possibility to enjoy unlimited talk, and text, as well as great entertainment and web browsing features.

“We can’t add hours to the day, but we can help consumers do more in the hours they have,” Roger D. Linquist, president, CEO and chairman of MetroPCS, stated.

“With easy access to social networks and enhanced web browsing capabilities, our customers can stay on top of the latest news, access their favorite content through MetroSTUDIO, and keep up with friends, family and colleagues.

“As the only no annual contract, pay-in-advance service provider offering 4G LTE services, MetroPCS continues to deliver the innovative, flexible and affordable services our customers rely on.”

The new Samsung Craft was made available for purchase in-store in all MetroPCS markets, as well as online on the wireless carrier's website, with a price tag of $299 plus tax after the $50 instant rebate, while supplies last.

The phone sports a 3.3 inch AMOLED screen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and video recording capabilities, Wi-Fi features, and a 2GB MicroSD card pre-loaded.

With the new device, users can enjoy a wide range of all the features that MetroPCS 4G LTE can offer, the wireless carrier announced.

Among these features, we can count:

- MetroSTUDIO, powered by RealNetworks, available on the $60 service plan, delivers full-track downloads, ringtones and ring-back tones, as well as premium video content from NBC Universal, Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Univision, available on-demand from one easy-to-use application.

- A social networking and instant messaging application which harnesses notifications, friends and content from Facebook, MySpace and Twitter and AIM, MSN and Yahoo! IM clients into a single interface that’s accessible with one click.

- Upgraded MetroNavigator feature includes new voice-activated GPS and turn-by-turn directions.

Currently, MetroPCS's 4G LTE services are available in six metropolitan areas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and San Francisco.