Sprint on Monday announced a partnership with Microsoft to bring Windows Phone 8 handsets to the carrier's U.S. cellular network by summer, beginning with one Samsung Windows Phone 8 smartphone and one from HTC.

Both phones will be packaged on Sprint's Everything Data plan and feature both 3G and 4G LTE capability, the carrier said in announcing the forthcoming Windows Phone 8 devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Sprint introduced its 4G LTE network last July and currently provides 4G LTE service to 49 U.S. markets, with another 100 or so due to come online in 2013.

"These smartphones combine a robust new operating platform with the benefit of Sprint's unlimited data plans. There is no doubt these phones will quickly become an extension of your PC experience right in the palm of your hand," Fared Adib, Sprint senior vice president of product development and operations, said in a statement.

The participating companies didn't offer much in the way of specs, pricing, or solid release dates for the two forthcoming Windows Phone 8 devices, but did mention that both phones will have dual-core processors, a pair of cameras enabling video chat, and support for expandable external memory.

Sprint bills its Everything Data plan as the nation's only "truly unlimited" 4G LTE data, text, and calling plan for any mobile device with no metering, throttling, or overage charges. The plan starts at $79.99 per month and covers Internet, texting, and calling to and from U.S.-based mobile devices.

Microsoft released Windows Phone 8 in late October as more than just an incremental upgrade to its predecessor, Windows Phone 7. In a first, the new mobile OS is built on the same kernel as Redmond's flagship Windows platform for PCs. Windows Phone 8 ties in to SkyDrive and shares the same live tile interface as Windows 8, Microsoft's latest PC operating system, part of an effort to unify both available services and user experience across the software giant's consumer platforms.

"We're looking forward to bringing two new Windows Phone 8 devices by Samsung and HTC to market with Sprint this summer, adding to our strong Windows Phone 8 portfolio. These devices, coupled with Sprint's unlimited 4G LTE data experience, will make it easy for Windows Phone 8 customers to have the most personal smartphone experience possible, wherever they are," said Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows Phone Division.

For more from Damon, follow him on Twitter @dpoeter.

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