HTC rumored making SK Telecom-branded phones
updated 04:30 pm EDT, Tue March 24, 2009
HTC to partner SK Telesys
Korean telecommunications provider SK Telecom is rumored to be entering the handset manufacturing market via affiliate SK Telesys, which officially announced plans to enter the phone manufacturing business. Local Korean media reports SK Telecom has created a team called G Project to develop innovative and original platforms and user interfaces that would be of the same scope to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android. G Project is working closely with handset manufacturer HTC, and many believe the Taiwanese hardware manufacturer is the top choice for a partner. SK Telecom paved the way for HTC to sell its hardware in Korea.
In the past, SK Telecom planned, designed and developed the user interface for the mobile phones it sells, though it did rely on various partners, including LG and Pantech, to manufacture them. SK Group sold its SK Teletech handset manufacturer to Pantech in 2005.
A timeline for the SK Telesys business and any hardware that stems from it is not yet known. It would be entering a highly competitive industry, with the closest hardware rivals being giant Samsung, KT Group and LG Group, all of which manufacture their own hardware. LG also operates LG Telecom in its home country.
