Taiwan-based mobile telecom carrier Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) plans to procure 1.5 million handsets, many of which will be smartphones, in 2013, during which it will also purchase 300,000 tablets.
Of the smartphones to be procured in 2013, 50% will be entry-level to midrange models priced up to NT$15,000 (US$502) and the rest midrange to high-end models priced over NT$15,000, FET indicated.
FET said it procured 1.2-1.3 million handsets and 200,000 tablets in 2012 and the increase in procurement in 2013 is partly due to shorter replacement cycles for devices. When renewing contracts, about 50% of the subscribers have chosen one-year contracts, FET indicated.
FET said it generated handset sales of NT$16-17 billion in 2012 and expects the sales to reach NT$21-22 billion in 2013.
FET has cooperated with Taiwan-based smartphone vendor HTC to launch the HTC Desire Q smartphone in the Taiwan market at a contract-free price of NT$6,900 and a subsidized price of NT$2,990 bundled with a fixed monthly charge of NT$299 for two years.
Article translated by Adam Hwang
