FCC approves first Long Term Evolution network component in U.S.

The FCC has approved a filing for an LG Electronics infrastructure device labeled as "Long Term Evolution User Equipment," making it likely the first LTE device approved in the U.S.

The equipment is classified as a Licensed Non-Broadcast Station Transmitter running on the 1700MHz AWS band. Much of the documentation pertaining to the device is currently protected by a confidentiality agreement between LG and the communications agency.

Last month at Mobile World Congress, Verizon Wireless announced plans to build the first next-generation Long Term Evolution network in the U.S. No information linking the FCC filing to the announcement has been uncovered. [via PhoneScoop]