Rumor: China Mobile Begins Q4 2012 TD-SCDMA Handset Tender
C114, 12/13/12
An industry source revealed on December 13 that China Mobile (NYSE: CHL; 0941.HK) recently began its Q4 2012 G3 (TD-SCDMA) handset tender. China Mobile reportedly plans to procure 4.8 mln handsets, including seven smartphone models in the two categories of general and multimedia-oriented handsets.
China Mobile will order 3.2 mln units of four general-purpose smartphones, including two single-core, 3.5" display handset models (a total of 1.6 mln units, or roughly 800,000 units per model), 800,000 units of a single-core handset with a 4" display, and 800,000 units of a dual-core 4" handset. In the multimedia handset category, China Mobile will order 1.5 mln units of three handset models: a total 1 mln units, or 500,000 units each, of two 4.5" dual-core handsets, and 500,000 units of a 4.5" quad-core handset.
In order to avoid previous problems of manufacturers being unable to meet demand, China Mobile is requiring all manufacturers participating in the bid to provide prototypes for evaluation by December 24, and to be capable of delivery by March 15.
Tang Jianfeng, GM of the operator's terminals subsidiary China Mobile Terminals, said that in the future, China Mobile will not procure any handsets with displays smaller than 3.5", and will increase its procurement of dual-core handsets.
Keywords: China Mobile handset smartphone procurement wireless CHL TD-SCDMA 0941.HK China Mobile Terminal handset model bidding 3G operator-customized