2degrees seals deal to sell Chinese tech giant's handsets

Huawei's IDEOS handsets run the Google Android 2.2 operating system. Photo / Natalie Slade

Mobile operator 2degrees has cemented its relationship with Chinese technology giant Huawei with a deal to sell its handsets.

Huawei, which has muscled its way into the top of the telecommunications technology league tables, provided 2degrees with its network technology.

Yesterday's announcement included the launch of Huawei's IDEOS handset running the Google Android 2.2 operating system, which will go on sale next Monday for $379.

2degrees chief sales and marketing officer Larrie Moore said 19 per cent of phones sold around the world were now smartphones like the IDEOS, double what it was 12 months ago.

"We expect by this time next year that close to 50 per cent of all handsets sold in New Zealand will be smartphones," said Moore.

2degrees mobile product manager Tim Haywood said that by the end of next year a group of young consumers might emerge who would buy a smartphone as their first phone and never own a basic "text and talk" phone.

Huawei's senior marketing manager for Australia and New Zealand, Mark Treadwell, said traditionally Huawei had been known for working with operators on networks and mobile broadband solutions for consumers.

"The IDEOS for us earmarks the start of a very, very exciting journey for us [as our] first Android-powered device that ... is immensely affordable and available."

Treadwell said Huawei planned to boost its profile in the consumer market.

Alan Wong, regional director of product and marketing for Huawei, said the company was about mass-market technology and the time had come to release a mass-market smartphone.