I really wish Verizon would show off how they plan to offer their LTE.I've only seen and read bits and pieces,including the pics of their 4G LTE "SIM cards". Strictly as a guess I'll say ThunderBolt buyers will have the option to use their Bolt as a 3G device(using it's EVDO Rev.A radio) or upgrading their data speeds by signing up for an LTE data plan and inserting their LTE "SIM card" which will allow them access to 4G service. This way people will have a choice to upgrading to the newest Android phones even if LTE is not in their area yet. Also they can still upgrade even if they're happy with their current EVDO speeds. It's a real smart plan since it doesn't force people who want to upgrade into having to choose a more expensive data package. And they still have the option to do it later if they wish.
This makes some good sense to me. Whats the point of having a LTE SIM Card, if VZW is going to make you have a 4G Data Plan. There would be no need for the SIM Card because the device would have to pick up both 4G & 3G signal, just like the EVO on Sprint, thus you would have to have the 4G LTE Data Plan, just like Sprint did with the EVO and WiMax.
So in my mind, say you live in an area with no 4G LTE for another year, buy the TBolt with no 4G LTE SIM Card, you're stuck with 3G Speeds and a 3G data plan (since it has the 3G Radio in it), but 4G LTE comes to your area, you want in on it, you get a 4G LTE SIM Card, and now you pay the 4G LTE data plan prices, insert the card into the TBolt and you become "lighting" fast.
This would fall in line with the 3G Smartphone Unlimited plans they just leaked too. Plus VZW does this, they are setting a new industry standard by allowing the consumer to chose what they want to consume, not forcing the consumer to purchase something they don't want (unlike Sprint).
Not an expert on this by any means, just thinking thru, given what we know.