Tech & Sci
21:04, 05-Aug-2017
Huawei reportedly teaming up with AT&T to increase share in US market
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The world's third largest smartphone maker and Chinese tech titan Huawei may finally get a foothold in the US market, according to tech media startup The Information.
The news website reported on Friday that the upcoming flagship smartphone of the Chinese manufacturer might be sold by AT&T in the US in the first half of 2018.
AT&T will reportedly sell Huawei's upcoming flagship in the US next year. /AFP Photo
AT&T will reportedly sell Huawei's upcoming flagship in the US next year. /AFP Photo
The device expected to be supported by AT&T carrier may be similar to Huawei's upcoming Mate 10, a new high-end smartphone that the company will reportedly unveil in Europe this October. But the name for the mystery model might be different in the US, said The Information.
Considered as the most sold phone brand in China, Huawei accounted for 36 percent of the smartphone market in the country in the first quarter of this year while Apple's share was 12.4 percent, Kantar Worldpanel ComTech reported in May.
Mate 9, a Huawei high-end smartphone debuted in November 2016. /AFP Photo
Mate 9, a Huawei high-end smartphone debuted in November 2016. /AFP Photo
However, the Shenzhen-based tech company's Chinese dominance is yet to translate into success in the US, where it lacks agreements with main carriers.
According to 2016 figures from the Wall Street Journal, Apple dominates the US smartphone market with 39 percent of the market share. Samsung, with 23 percent, comes in second, while Huawei accounts for less than 0.5 percent.
If the cooperation with AT&T, one of the largest telecom companies in the world, goes through as reported, it will be Huawei's biggest step into the US market and a chance to increase its global market share by luring US users to switch to its devices.
"We want to grow into top two market share, and, in the future, top one by 2021," said Huawei's Consumer Head, Richard Yu. /AFP Photo
"We want to grow into top two market share, and, in the future, top one by 2021," said Huawei's Consumer Head, Richard Yu. /AFP Photo
"We want to grow into top two market share, and, in the future, top one by 2021," Huawei's Consumer Head Richard Yu told Fortune during an interview back in January.
According to The Information, the deal will not be finalized until the phone maker clears all the technical hurdles and the companies agree on the commercial terms of the release.
Huawei’s engineers are said to be working on hardware and software modifications that are necessary for meeting US telecom standards and AT&T’s requirements.
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