China Telecom starting purchase of CDMA handsets for 2009

China Telecom has recently launched its initial purchase of CDMA 3G handsets for 2009 with about 40 models coming from overseas and domestic vendors, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Nokia, Motorola, Yulong, ZTE, Beijing Tainyu and Taiwan-based Dopod and Inventec Appliances, according to market sources.

According to China Telecom's roadmap, the company plans to kick off in May its commercial 3G services, supporting CDMA 2000 1x EV-DO standard. The service operator also plans to purchase up to 50 million CDMA CPE (customer premise equipment) products, including 20 million CDMA-enabled handsets, this year.

Dopod will supply China Telecom with its S900c smartphone, a CDMA 2000-version of HTC Touch Diamond from High Tech Computer (HTC), whereas Inventec will offer two models, the i760 and i780, indicated the sources.