Verizon reportedly to launch Windows Phone 7 handset in March

It seems rumours that Windows Phone 7 smartphones were to come to Verizon early this year are starting to prove true after it has emerged that the US mobile operator is to begin offering the HTC 7 Trophy within weeks.

Winrumors reports that Verizon officials could announce availability of the handset as soon as February 28, offering the HTC 7 Trophy as its first Windows Phone 7 device at $200 on a 24-month contract.

Late last year, Microsoft guru Paul Thurrott claimed Verizon would make the HTC 7 Trophy its first Windows Phone 7 handset, launching early in 2011 – a prediction that today seems to have come true.

The move will look to counter Sprint’s efforts to push Windows Phone 7 smartphones – the operator will offer the HTC Arrive (a rebranded HTC 7 Pro), launching on March 20 priced at $200.

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Verizon’s efforts to bring a Windows Phone 7 device to market have been checked not by internal disputes but by Microsoft, which halted plans for CDMA-enabled Windows Phone 7 devices at the end of last year.

Windows Phone 7 will soon be available on all the major operators in the U.S with both the HTC 7 Trophy and HTC Arrive launching with the new ‘NoDo’ firmware update.

Things are certainly looking up at Microsoft.