Samsung Starts Shipping 3G Phones To Verizon

Samsung told the media in Korea Thursday that it has started shipping a smartphone that works with Verizon Wireless' 1xEV-DO high-speed cellular data network.

The company said it has already shipped 20,000 of its SCH-A890 handset to Verizon and said it expects to increase shipments in 2005. Verizon's 1xEV-DO network is currently available in about 20 major markets in the U.S. but, so far, it is only available to laptops users who buy a PC Card that works with the service.

The handset has a clamshell design and a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera, according to Korean media such as Telecoms Korea. The company provided no pricing or availability information, although Verizon Wireless has said it expects to start selling EV-DO smartphones early in 2005.