T-Mobile USA has said today that it doesn't plan to rush into any 4G networks, but that it does prefer LTE over the "niche play" WiMax.

The carrier currently uses HSPA+ as its next generation data network, offering speeds higher than Sprint's 4G.

"We'll look towards LTE at the right point in time for us," says Neville Ray, T-Mobile USA's chief network officer. "That ecosystem is going to be much richer than the competing one from WiMax, which is really a niche play."

Verizon and AT&T should have LTE networks in place by the end of 2011, while Sprint currently uses WiMax.

Speaking about HSPA+, Ray says: "We're not waiting for the technology choice, we have the right technology to deliver that experience today."

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HTC is set to launch an LTE smartphone next year, says its CEO, although details are scarce.

Says CEO Peter Chou: "HTC was the first with 3G smartphone and 4G smartphone, and we are definitely looking to future network technologies."

There were no details on what carrier the phone would be released for, or what type of phone it would be.

Verizon and AT&T plan to launch LTE networks beginning this year with a full rollout expected next year. Verizon's network will cover 30 major markets and 100 million Americans. AT&T's should cover 75 million.

For now, both carriers will offer LTE USB sticks as there are no phones yet with LTE support.

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According to Nokia, the Ovi Store now sees 2.3 million downloads per day, with 200,000 consumers signing up daily for Ovi services.

Ovi includes Maps, Music, Messaging and an app store.

Nokia has made Ovi available in 190 countries and remains the world's largest phone maker.

"At Nokia, we believe that connecting people with great mobile experiences is at the heart of what Ovi is all about," adds Tero Ojanpera, Nokia's executive VP of Services. "Today people discover Ovi through Maps, Music, Messaging, Store and Life Tools."

Furthermore, about 70 developers and publishers have hit the one-million download milestone for their content including EA, Shazam, Qik and Gameloft.

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Microsoft has sued Motorola this week, alleging patent infringement on a number of Android devices.

The software giant says Motorola infringes on patents "that are essential to the smartphone user experience, including synchronizing email, calendars and contacts, scheduling meetings, and notifying applications of changes in signal strength and battery power."

Microsoft filed the suit with the U.S. District Court and the International Trade Commission (ITC).

There are nine patents in questions, all relating to Android smartphones.

The new case seems similar to the suit filed in March by Apple against HTC, a popular maker of Android phones. Apple claims Android violated iPhone patents.

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