BARCELONA -(Dow Jones)- Vodafone Group Wednesday said it has signed a global supply deal with Huawei Technologies for exclusive Vodafone-branded third-generation handsets.
The deal represents Huawei's first significant handset deal in Europe and will enable Vodafone - the world's largest wireless operator by sales - to offer branded 3G handsets at low prices.
China's Huawei has made significant inroads in the telecommunications network equipment market in Europe and around the world by offering much cheaper kit than established suppliers.
The first handset, which will only have Vodafone's brand on it, will be released in September. The supply deal will last at least five years and will span 21 countries.
Huawei signed a global supply deal with Vodafone in November for network infrastructure.
Company Web site: http://www.vodafone.com
-By Nic Fildes, Dow Jones Newswires; +44-20-7842-9264; nicolas.fildes@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires "
Posted to the site on 15th February 2006
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/16136.php