China Telecom, in an attempt to promote mid-range CDMA 2000 handsets priced at 700-2,000 yuan (US$103-293), has formed an industry alliance to integrate design, development, production and marketing of such handsets, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
More than 100 companies have joined the alliance, the sources indicated. In addition to international companies such as Nokia, Motorola, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics (LGE), members of the alliance also include Taiwan-based MediaTek, VIA Telecom and Inventec Appliances, as well as Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), the sources added.
China Telecom currently focuses the purchases of CDMA handsets on entry-level models, with Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Samsung and LGE being the major suppliers, noted the sources.
The promotion of the mid-range CDMA handsets will benefit international players as well as Taiwan-based handset makers, the sources commented.
