Cellular South Launches Android™-Powered HTC Hero™ After Record-Breaking Pre-Order Results
Due to High Demand, the HTC Hero at Cellular South is Available Today through this Saturday to Customers Who Pre-ordered; Availability to General Public Begins Monday, November 9
Ridgeland, MS (Vocus/PRWEB ) November 6, 2009 -- Cellular South, the nation's largest privately held wireless provider, announced today that the new HTC Hero, an Android-powered touchscreen smartphone with Google™ mobile services, is now available for customers who pre-ordered the device and will be available to the general public on Monday, November 9.
Home screen showing applications on Cellular South's new HTC Hero Android phone
The HTC Hero offers full synchronization for built-in Google mobile services, including Google Search™, Google Maps™, Gmail™, and YouTube™ as well as access to thousands of applications built on the Android platform. Available at Cellular South for the introductory price of only $99 (after mail-in rebate), the HTC Hero is the first of a variety of Android-powered smartphones the company plans to offer in the near future.
According to research conducted by Gartner Group, Android will rank second in worldwide smartphone marketshare by 2012 (behind Symbian) when it is estimated that 14 percent of the global smartphone marketshare will be Android devices - higher than Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and the iPhone.
"Android is an exciting new platform that offers consumers a smartphone option that is already proven in the marketplace," said Roger Entner, SVP Research and Insights for the Telecom Practice of The Nielsen Company. "It is encouraging to see carriers like Cellular South providing their customers access to this industry-leading platform and exposing them to all it offers - thousands of applications, device customization and a powerful wireless experience."
The launch of the HTC Hero makes Cellular South one of the nation's first wireless carriers to offer an Android-powered device and comes on the heels of the most successful pre-order results in company history. Thousands of current and new Cellular South customers pre-ordered the much anticipated HTC Hero - making the new Android-powered smartphone one of the most popular devices at Cellular South.
"It's really no surprise that our pre-order period for the HTC Hero was such a success. With Android's high level of customization and features that can't be found on other devices, along with access to the Android Market™, we're seeing a record number of consumers purchase this advanced smartphone," said Kevin Hankins, chief operating officer for Cellular South. "With our new Smartphone Unlimited Plan, our customers are saving thousands of dollars each year compared to other leading competitor plans. We have broken down the barriers to having full access to the richest and simplest wireless experience - our value proposition is unmatched. Plus, Cellular South customers know they're going to get the most out of their Android-powered device with our superior 3G network and unique mobile Discover Center accessibility."
Debuting on the HTC Hero, Cellular South is the first carrier to offer customers Text CS, a free text-for-help support service built into the device. This convenient feature is a mobile extension of its in-store and online Discover Centers and will allow direct access, via text messaging, to Discover Center experts. Customers will get personal assistance and rapid support for exploring their devices and new services.
To make owning the HTC Hero an even better value, Cellular South has introduced its new Smartphone Unlimited Plan - the first plan of its kind which makes the enriched user experience smartphones provide and advanced devices such as the HTC Hero even more accessible to individuals, families and businesses. For only $79.99 per month, customers can talk, text, access the Web, and e-mail without worrying about counting minutes, megabytes, or surprise bills. For each $79.99 plan, customers can add a second smartphone for half off at $39.99 per month.
"The launch of our HTC Hero is exciting," said Hankins. "We also know that a smartphone is only as good as the network on which it operates, which is why we've significantly invested in growing our 3G network - activating 324 new 3G sites this year alone - so that now we reach more than 80 percent of Mississippians with the best high-speed data service available."
The HTC Hero will retail at Cellular South for an introductory rate of $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate. For more information about the HTC Hero at Cellular South, the Smartphone Unlimited Plan, additional smartphone offerings and Cellular South's Discover Centers, visit www.Cellularsouth.com/DiscoverCenter.
Android, Google, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc. HTC Hero is the trademark of HTC Corporation.
About Cellular South
Cellular South is a privately-owned diversified mobile communications company passionately committed to helping customers get the most out of their wireless devices and services. The nation's largest privately owned wireless communications carrier accomplishes this goal by providing the most reliable and advanced 3G nationwide wireless voice and data network, offering industry-leading unlimited flat rate plans, and through its online and in-store Discover Centers, which give customers easy, simple and convenient tools, tips, advice and information to get the most out of their mobile phone. For more information about Cellular South and its products and services, as well as its ground-breaking sports programming content like Y'all vs. Us, visit www.cellularsouth.com. This news release and other announcements are available at http://www.cellularsouth.com/news/. Or follow our news on Twitter at http://twitter.com/cellularsouth. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cellularsouth to learn more about our wireless services.
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