Huawei partners with Microsoft to build new Ascend Windows Phone 8 handset

Expanded relationship signals Huawei’s ambitions to solidify a leadership position in the global smartphone market

Mobilk - Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, has announced it is expanding its relationship with Microsoft Corp. for the creation of Huawei’s first Windows Phone handset. Part of the Huawei Ascend family—the company’s best-in-class smartphone line—the new Huawei Ascend with Windows Phone 8 expands Huawei’s smartphone portfolio and brings the Windows Phone operating system to an even bigger audience. Huawei is one of the few selected vendors in the world to carry the Windows Phone 8 operating system on its smartphones.

 

“2012 is building up to be a great year for Huawei. Now, we are poised to end the year with a big bang – with the introduction of our first smartphone running on the Windows Phone platform. We’re very excited about this relationship with Microsoft which will enable us to provide our customers with a bigger array of Huawei smartphone choices,” says Shao Yang, chief marketing officer, Huawei Device.

 

Despite being a relative newcomer to the mobile phone business, the global technology giant has revealed ambitious plans to establish itself as one of the top five global smartphone vendors within the next two years—reaching top three status by 2015. 

 

“It’s great to welcome Huawei to the Windows Phone family. The only phone with Live Tiles, Windows Phone brings you closest to the people and things you care most about,” said Terry Myerson, Corporate Vice President of the Windows Phone Division at Microsoft. “With Huawei’s impressive global capabilities, together we can bring Windows Phone 8 to more people around the world.” 

 

Within the Middle East, Huawei Device has focused on strengthening its regional distribution partnerships over the last year and has successfully introduced a number of smartphone models in the Middle East with plans to unveil its flagship Ascend P1 smartphone this July—the first Huawei phone to be introduced regionally under the company’s new Ascend Platinum series.

 

Huawei’s Consumer business recorded global sales revenues of just over $7 billion last year, an increase of 44.3% over the previous year with robust growth in the smart devices segment shipping close to 150 million units in 2011.  

 

The Huawei Ascend with Windows Phone 8 is expected to be available first in Europe, China and the United States, with other markets to follow. It will be marketed through a series of promotional activities on the open market and in conjunction with key mobile operators around the world.