Taiwan market: Chunghwa Telecom launches HTC Desire U

Taiwan-based Chughwa Telecom (CHT) and HTC have jointly launched the smartphone vendor's entry-level Desire U for contract sale.

Desire U features a single-core 1GHz processor, Android 4.0, 512MB RAM/4GB ROM, a 4.0-inch WVGA (480 by 800 ) touch screen, a 5-megapixel rear camera, dimensions of 62.3 (W) by 118.5 (H) by 9.32 (D)mm and a weight of 119g. If it is not bundled with CHT's services, the smartphone is priced at NT$7,990 (US$275), targeting mainly students and first-time smartphone users, the telecom carrier said.

CHT plans to procure 2.2-2.3 million handsets for contract sale in 2013, with 75% of them to be smartphones, the company said. Of smartphones to be procured in 2013, 30% will be high-end and midrange models each and 40% entry-level ones, CHT noted.

In order to hike EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization), CHT said it will reduce subsidies for contract sale of high-end smartphones and increase subsidies for midrange and entry-level models in 2013.

HTC Desire U contract sale at CHT (NT$)
24-month contract	Packages
Fixed monthly rate s	303	503	703	943	1,143
Desire U prices	5,190	3,990	2,490	990	0

Source: CHT, compiled by Digitimes, January 2013