HTC, Airtel in tie-up for 3G smartphone

Taiwan-based handset maker HTC today entered into an exclusive partnership with cellullar operator Bharti Airtel to launch a 3G-enabled smartphone priced at Rs 9,990.

As per the alliance, the touchscreen phone will be available in the country exclusively on Airtel networks.

The smartphone is based on US chipset maker Qualcomms Brew operating system. HTC is known for its smartphones powered by Google Android and Windows Mobile platforms (operating systems for mobile phones).

"This is one of the most affordable smartphone in the country. We are planning to sell three lakh units of the device by the end of December this year," HTC Corporation Country Head Ajay Sharma said.

Peter Chou, CEO, HTC Corportation said that three years from now the total market size of smartphones will be 40 per cent.

With 3G auction likely to take place this year and operators gearing up to launch the service by the end of this year, the handset makers are coming up with 3G-enabled handsets.

Recently, Samsung has also launched its economical Metro 3G phone in India priced at Rs 8,250.

Besides, service providers like Airtel and Vodafone had already launched the 3G version of Apple's iPhone in India.