The Android 4.4 KitKat update for HTC One carrier models appears to be right on schedule as HTC has announced that the update has now been passed on to mobile networks for certification.

The increasingly transparent HTC reported plans to rollout Android 4.4 to HTC One carrier models around late-January. Now that the end of January is approaching the Taiwanese manufacturer says network lab testing should be complete by next week. In addition to a Twitter announcement, HTC has also revised its software update page, indicating that the AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon HTC One models are now in the certification phase of the Android update schedule.

In December, HTC released its ‘anatomy of an Android update’ info-graphic detailing the evaluation, development, integration, test/certification, and push to customer phases of devices receiving a new Android system version. At that time, HTC One carrier models were at the integration phase, meaning HTC was adding its own branded software (such as the HTC Sense UI) to the stock Android firmware received from Google. Now, during the test/ certification phase software builds are tested for bugs and fixes are implemented into new builds.

Once this phase is complete, carriers will begin to rollout its respective over-the-air updates, which could take days, weeks or even months depending on the mobile network’s discretion. But models should receive their updates around the expected time. Notably when HTC One carrier models began receiving the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update, the Sprint model updated in early October, while the AT&T and T-Mobile models updated in mid-October and the Verizon model updated in mid-December. HTC is sure to alert the public of any postponements of the Android 4.4 update.

Several other HTC devices are also on schedule to receive the Android 4.4 update. Currently the HTC One Mini, HTC One Max and HTC Desire 601 are in the integration phase of update, while the Droid DNA is in the certification phase, meaning it’s update is also imminent.

Are you glad that the Android 4.4 KitKat update for HTC One carrier models is near? Let us know in the comments below.

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