Taiwan market: Dual-SIM handsets in growing demand

Demand for dual-SIM, dual-stand-by handsets in Taiwan has increased to more than 500,000 units a year or a 9% share of the overall domestic market, with GSM+GSM and GSM+CDMA devices accounting for 80% and 15% of sales, respectively, according to sources in the local retail channel.

LG Electronics launched dual-SIM, dual-stand-by handset models, the GX200 and GX500, in the first half of 2010, and Samsung Electronics and Nokia plan to introduce competing models in the second half of 2010 and 2011, the sources pointed out.

International vendors have previously launched dual-SIM, dual stand-by handsets in China, but had not done so in Taiwan due to a lack of a market. The segment was mostly comprised of second-tier brand vendors and white-box devices from China.