According to new global handset market figures released yesterday by market research firm IDC, Chinese telecom equipment and terminal manufacturer ZTE (0763.HK; 000063.SZ) had Q3 2011 shipments of 19.1 mln handsets, surpassing Apple to gain a firm fourth-place position with 4.9% of the global market. Nokia and Samsung maintained the first- and second-place positions; LG, in third place, had a 5.4% share of the market. ZTE said that it plans to become one of the world's top three handset makers by shipments over the next three to five years.

ZTE-branded products now account for 60% of the company's shipments. ZTE's domestic and international sales break down to a roughly 4:6 ratio, respectively, with domestic sales conducted through commercial retail channels or package deals with operators, and virtually all overseas sales conducted through operators.