ZTE, currently the world’s fourth largest phone manufacturer, is looking to expand its North American presence in 2011. To do so, it is looking to work more closely with US carriers and broaden its device portfolio. According to Jeff Ji, general manager of ZTE USA, the company will double its device portfolio to 28 devices in 2011 and launch its first smartphones in the US.
Among the devices ZTE plans to launch are HSPA+ and LTE devices although Ji said that they have not seeing high consumer demand for “super-speed Internet phones” to date and will likely focus on HSPA+. Android will likely be used by the majority of devices but we could also see some Windows Phone 7 devices.
ZTE’s plans include working with the top six US carriers (AT&T, Cricket, MetroPCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon).