Rumor: HTC ThunderBolt capable of simultaneous voice and data over 3G

Thanks to a leak from a couple of weeks ago, we learned that the HTC ThunderBolt will be capable of simultaneous voice and data when it launches, possibly at the end of February. Most assumed that the feature would only be available over 4G, but a newly-leaked Verizon document has revealed that that may not be the case. As you can see above, the folks at Phandroid have been sent an image claiming that the ThunderBolt will be able to access both voice and data over a 3G connection as well. Don't expect the feature to make it into all of Big Red's handsets, though, as the doc says that the carrier "cannot promise the experience will be one that is consistent with [their] brand."

Simultaneous voice and data has notoriously been a feature that's exclusive to GSM networks, and we've seen AT&T use it to tout its own iPhone and network in the past. It's been rumored that Verizon has been working on getting the functionality to work on its CDMA network, especially with the impending launch of the iPhone on their network. It'll be kind of disappointing if Big Red doesn't extend the ability to use voice and data over 3G to a majority of its phones, but the ones that do sport it will instantly become more desirable. This is especially true for those of us that aren't covered by Verizon's LTE network and won't be for a while. What do you all think about simultaneous voice and data? Is it a feature you want in your handsets, or could you care less?

Via Droid-Life, Phandroid