Keen to position itself as an invaluable partner to carriers with Long Term Evolution Time Division Duplex (LTE TDD) ambitions, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. is preparing to launch a smartphone that supports the emerging next-generation mobile technology during the second half of 2012.

Having already launched its LTE TDD/FDD/UMTS/GSM multi-mode Mobile Wi-Fi device in January, the vendor is now getting ready to support the rollout of commercial LTE TDD services with a smart handset. (See Huawei Unveils LTE TDD Wi-Fi Device.)

The move makes sense. Huawei is a major supplier of network infrastructure and handsets in the three main markets where LTE TDD technology is set to be deployed on a mass scale in the near term -- China, India and Japan. (See Softbank Preps Pseudo-LTE TDD Service, Sequans, Huawei Team for LTE-TDD Trial, India Inches Closer to LTE TDD, Vendors Fight for LTE TDD Deals , Huawei Launches Trial 4G Network for China Mobile and Global TDD Initiative Launched at MWC 2011.)

Indeed, the company's chief branding officer for wireless networks, Robert Fox, says that of the 18 commercial LTE TDD network deals Huawei knows about, it is involved in 13, with more to come, including an "upcoming announcement in India," says Fox. (See Huawei Lands LTE TDD Deal in Nigeria, Euronews: Dual-Mode LTE Network Goes Live, Mobily Preps LTE TDD Launch and Making the Case for LTE TDD in Malaysia.)

Will Huawei be first with smartphone for LTE TDD? Very possibly not, as ZTE Corp. (Shenzhen: 000063; Hong Kong: 0763) has already been showing off such a device.

— Ray Le Maistre, International Managing Editor, Light Reading