China mobile firms poised for global domination

Chinese handset maker Huawei is reporting revenue growth of more than 50 per cent a year

China's largest mobile phone makers are set to grow into global giants, according to industry sources.

Leading the pack is Huawei, which now has some 35,000 employees and revenue growth of more than 50 per cent a year. 

Huawei has been selling equipment and handsets outside China for 10 years, but passed a significant milestone last year when international sales revenue surpassed domestic sales for the first time.

The company recorded international sales of $4.8bn last year, 57 per cent of the total, according to sources at Huawei.

The Chinese phone maker left competitors in no doubt about its arrival last year, winning orders from Europe's top carriers including BT, Vodafone, Telefónica and KPN.

Huawei has contracts with 28 of the top 50 network operators worldwide, research firm Heavy Reading reports. 

Company statements place the neighbouring Asia Pacific region among Huawei's most important markets.

Huawei has offices in 13 countries in the region, and is actively selling products in at least 20 countries. The firm has products deployed in over 100 countries worldwide.

China's mobile makers are benefiting from surging global demand for handsets and back-end telecoms equipment. The world's largest domestic market gives them a firm footing for expansion.