Aug 24, 2009, 14:50 GMT
Taipei - China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier, signed an agreement with Taiwan's High Tech Computer Corp (HTC) Monday to jointly develop smartphones in China.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in Taipei by China Mobile Chairman Wang Jianzhou and HTC Chairwoman Cher Wang, the two sides will jointly develop TD-phone in China, launching one model this year and six models next year.
At the signing ceremony, Wang lauded HTC as the leader in the global smartphone industry. China Mobile wants HTC to design and develop the TD-phone models while China Mobiles would provide customer service and support.
HTC Chairman Cher Wang said that cooperation with China Mobile can enhance HTC's competitiveness.
HTC CEO Peter Chou added that HTC would actively develop intelligent advanced wireless broadband products based on the TD-SCDMA standard, and will work closely with China Mobile to design and make products tailored to the needs of the China market.
TD-SCDMA is the first international technology standard in China's telecommunications industry for which administration and ownership of related intellectual property rights (IPR) are based in China, THC said in a statement.
'In signing this MOU, HTC and China Mobile are embarking on a wide-ranging, substantive partnership that will cover technical research, product development, market research and customer service,' it added.
China Mobile is the largest cell phone provider in China, with 477 million subscribers in China, or one subscriber among every three Chinese.
Taking advantage of improved cross-strait ties, China Mobile in April announced plans to buy 12 per cent of Far EasTone, Taiwan's third-largest telecoms operator, but the investment is still pending approval by Taiwan.
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