Lee: In Europe, we work together with local telecom operators when selling our phones. We are set to roll out new handsets in about July or August. Our mobile phones will be available in handset stores in the UK, Spain, Italy and France.
In China, we started selling our brand-name handsets earlier this year in partnership with CECT Telecom (中國通信), because Beijing prevents foreign handset vendors from selling phones there.
This year, we expect handset shipments will exceed 13 million units. But over 30 percent of sales will come from brand-name mobile phones.
TT: Two-and-a-half years after BenQ developed its brand-name products, including handsets and LCD TVs, many Taiwanese companies are following suit. Any suggestions for them?
Lee: I think our determination convinced those companies that it works to have your own brand. Some of the most aggressive of these are local PC motherboard makers.
I suggest they develop a wide range of products and distinguish their products from those already on the market. If they continue to use low prices to vie for market share, there will be a deadlock all over again.
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