Brightpoint Inks HTC Deal

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.twice.com/article/CA6396905.html' target='_blank'>http://www.twice.com/article/CA6396905.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Brightpoint North America, a division of Brightpoint, distributor of wireless devices, has signed an agreement with High Tech Computer (HTC) to be the sole distributor of HTC's Microsoft Windows Mobile-based GSM devices and accessories in the United States and Canada. "Brightpoint is excited to expand its relationship with HTC and add HTC's innovative Windows Mobile-based GSM wireless devices to our channels in North America," said Mitch Black, senior VP of sales and distribution for Brightpoint. "This growing relationship with HTC is a significant key to our overall Smartphone strategy." Todd Achilles, HTC's VP of sales and marketing added that "HTC is pleased to extend our relationship with Brightpoint to North America, as it will provide us with the opportunity to further expand our market penetration." In a statement announcing the agreement, Brightpoint reported that it handled 42 million wireless devices globally in 2005. Separately, Brightpoint has also been selected to customize and distribute the HP iPAQ HW6945 series Mobile Messenger and select devices in the future to regional carriers, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and their respective independent dealers, value added resellers (VARs) and retailers in the U.S."</i><br /><br />Brightpoint seems to be the name to keep an ear out for in the coming months, first landing the iPAQ deal a few months back and now signing with HTC to distribute the latter's products in the US and Canada.

[ctmagnus]

The sole distributor? What will that do to companies like Mad Monkey Boys (www.dweiniger.com) and Superior Gadgets (www.superiorgadgets.com)?

[Paragon]

The sole distributor? What will that do to companies like Mad Monkey Boys (www.dweiniger.com) and Superior Gadgets (www.superiorgadgets.com)?

Brightpoint are the distributor they would buy from, and be supported by. It should be a good thing for them. Till now distribution for resellers has been a bit hit and miss, sometimes buying from UK distributors, sometimes from other European distribibutors, with limited North American choices. Now with someone like Brightpoint they will have more dependable supply AND hopefully better local support.

Dave

[JesterMania]

Hopefully this means that Canadian carriers will start carrying more PPC devices in the future (particularly the GSM side). I've always wondered what the price of a TyTN would be with a 3-year Rogers contract :mrgreen: .

[MobileAGBell]

Brightpoint is a very large, well-run, NASDAQ-listed company located in an Indianapolis suburb. They are the major distributor to network operators, OEMs, MVNOs, dealers, etc.

My guess is that the small US dealers, such as the ones previously mentioned, will continue to sell imported devices. If they want to sell US versions of HTC products (or other brands of US-version products), they will need to buy them from Brightpoint or other dealers up-the-chain from Brightpoint.