Taipei, Nov. 10, 2008 (CENS)--Huawei Technologies Co., a Chinese maker of communication devices, is reportedly planning to venture into the global market for high-end handsets by launching smartphones based on either Android or Symbian operating system next year, according to industry sources.

As the largest maker of its kind in China, Huawei has exported its communications equipment coupled with its terminal devices to help its major client Vodafone boost sales of mobile phones in recent years. So far, Vodafone, aided by Huawei, has sold over 100 million mobile phones, including 30 million units of CDMA (code division multiple access) phones as world`s fourth-largest brand of this kind.

In the past, Huawei focused sales on entry-level mobile phones and used to supply CHT3000 and CHT5000 series 3G phones to Taiwan`s largest telecom service provider Chunghwa Telecom Co. as free contract models to attract consumers to use its 3G communication service.

To reap profits in the lucrative market for smartphones, Huawei`s Director of Marketing James Chen said that his company has moved to develop smartphones. Besides, the firm will use Google`s Android and Nokia`s Symbian operating systems in its smartphones instead of Microsoft`s Window Mobile, in an effort to effectively build independently developed software and application services into its products.

However, Chen added that Huawei has no intention to develop own brand but will continue serving as a subcontractor for telecom companies to help them boost branding operations with its handsets in the future.

In the meantime, Chen confessed that consumer demand for mobile phones is languishing worldwide; nevertheless, now is the best time for his company to venture into the segment for smartphones as its cutting-edge production capability and services will hopefully enable Huawei to carve out niches in the future.

Noteworthy is that Huawei`s plan to join the smartphone segment is expected to trigger manpower hunt in the sector and impact existing makers in the line, including High Tech Computer Corp. and Asustek Computer Inc.

(by Steve Chuang)