HTC Revenues Up 32.8% from 2001 to 2002

[Ed Hansberry]

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article1.asp?datePublish=2003/01/10&pages=PR&seq=203

"High Tech Computer (HTC), the world’s largest PDA maker, announced NT$20.644 billion in revenues in 2002, up 32.8% from NT$15.550 billion in 2001. Fourth-quarter revenues rose 52.6% from the previous quarter, thanks to continuing demand for wireless Pocket PCs and smartphones and new PDA orders, the company said."

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2003/20030117-htcrevenue.gif

HTC's highest profile products are the iPAQ line and the XDA/T-Mobile Pocket PC Phone products. I had no idea they were the worlds largest PDA manufacturer though. There is a more detailed chart at the link above. One US Dollar is equal to approximately NT$34.87, so NT$20.644 billion would be about $592 million US dollars. In an of itself, you cannot reach any conclusion about Pocket PC marketshare other than things look rosy. I think we'll have to wait until February before we see Q4 2002 market share numbers for the PDA market.

[JMountford]

As HTC is now a Qualcom licensee I wrote an Email to HTC asking if we will see a CDMA Smartphone handset in the near future. I know there is the HTC upcoming PPCPE in a CDMA form. It would make perfect sense for HTC to make a few tweaks to the Tanager or SPV style handsets and turn them into CDMA Handsets for you friendly neighborhood Sprint PCS or Verizon carrier.

Here is my email and the subsequent response. You draw your own conclusions. But it would make a lot of Sense for HTC to make more CDMA devices.

Greetings,
I am a computer and technology specialist in the US.

I am curious as to what you can tell me about whether or not HTC will start making CDMA Smartphone Handsets for CDMA Wireless Carriers such as Verizon or Sprint. Your company now is a licensee of Qualcom. It is logical that you would use the current GSM designs that you have like the "Canary" or the "Tanager" and adapt them for CDMA carriers.

If necessary I would be willing to sign any NDA that you may require. I simply would like to know if any CDMA handsets are in development or even planning, and if so when we may see them in North America.

As you know CDMA Carriers represent the primary market in the United States. Yet there is a major lack of innovative CDMA handsets. I would love to see that change. Please let me know.

Sincerely,
Jarrid Mountford

Dear Mr. Mountford,

Thanks for your email.

Based on our NDA with our customers and partners, we could n't disclose any information for each project. Hope to get your understanding.

Best Regards,
Maggie Cheng
Public Relations / Corporate Marketing Division
High Tech Computer Corp.