7 December 2012 - Wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is set to bring into the country two of today’s most hotly anticipated smartphones.

Starting today, December 7, 2012, all who want to be among the first to have the country’s first LTE (Long Term Evolution) handsets -- the Sony Xperia V and the ZTE T82 – may pre-order via www.smart.com.ph/LTE.  

Dubbed the fastest wireless technology in the world today, LTE is a telecommunication standard capable of extremely high-speed data transfers, and is several times faster than present-day 3G and HSPA+ speeds.

Powered by LTE and designed for sophisticated, always-connected mobile users, the Sony Xperia V* or the ZTE T82 will come free at LTE Plan 1500, bundled with unlimited data**, 120 SMS and 60 call minutes.

Set to be the first LTE handset in the country, the Sony Xperia V makes its Southeast Asian debut in the Philippines and will be exclusively available to Smart subscribers. It is also considered the ‘cherry on top’ of a series which marks Sony Mobile Communications’ strong return this year to the intensely competitive smartphone market.

Powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, loaded with Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich, and sporting a 4.3-inch HD display and a 13-megapixel camera, the Sony Xperia V is built for productivity, multi-tasking, and multimedia capture.

The ZTE T82 is just as full-featured, with its 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch HD display and capacitive screen, and 8-megapixel camera supporting more than 20 shooting modes, the Chinese-made handset is designed for high performance and low power consumption.

“As two of the most advanced handsets today, the Sony Xperia V and the ZTE T82 add even more excitement to a lineup of power handsets exclusively available to Smart subscribers,” said Mellissa Limcaoco, head of Marketing for Smart brands.

“To fully enjoy the features of these two devices, as with other smartphones, subscribers must use them with a strong and reliable network. And Smart is the only telco in the country with a world-class data network capable of providing the best connectivity to the world’s most advanced devices,” Limcaoco added.

The Philippines’ first and most experienced LTE operator, Smart launched its LTE service on August 25, offering high-speed data services of up to 42Mbps on dongles or pocket WiFis.

A month later, the wireless leader successfully made the Philippines’ first LTE voice call and SMS on its super-charged mobile network, a move that was called “a major step forward for Smart and the Philippine mobile industry in general,” according to Rolando Peña, head of technology at Smart and parent firm PLDT.

The Sony Xperia V and ZTE T82 will soon be available in Smart Stores nationwide, free at Smart LTE Plan 1500. Interested subscribers can pre-order their unit now, via www.smart.com.ph/LTE.

Interested individuals can also try out the devices now on display at the Jump Experience Center in SM Megamall Cyberzone.