China white-box vendors to tap overseas markets with triple-SIM handsets

China-based white-box handset vendors are planning to adopt SoC (system-on-a-chip) solutions from Spreadtrum Communications to offer triple-SIM card/triple stand-by handsets, according to sources from the white-box vendors.

The handsets, with retail prices of 800-1,000 yuan (US$117-147), will typically feature support for two GSM SIM cards and one CDMA SIM card, and will target overseas emerging markets such as the Middle East, Africa and South America. First shipments will begin in the fourth quarter of 2010, the sources said.

Since most current dual-SIM handsets support only the GSM standard, the new triple-SIM devices are expected to be well received by CDMA telecom service providers, the sources added.