LTE: ZTE to spread LTE smartphones and tablets.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

ZTE  LTE-enabled 'Arthur' smartphone.

Chinese telecoms equipment maker ZTE is aiming to take advantage of the spread of LTE services in the US in 2012 with a range of new devices equipped to use the technology, some of which were previewed at this week’s CES 2012 in Las Vegas.

Devices on show included the LTE-enabled 'Arthur' smartphone as well as the V6 and V8 LTE tablets. LTE datacards and hotspot hardware were also shown. “In 2012, ZTE will put additional resources into developing LTE devices, which are very important as we increase market share across the world,” ZTE’s head of the terminal handset division He Shiyou said.

US operators AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless all showcased new LTE devices at CES 2012 , to support the ongoing rollout of the network technology, while phone makers HTC, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson also have smartphones in the pipeline to exploit LTE technology.

ZTE exceeded its 12 million smartphone sales target in 2011, a 400 percent year-on-year increase. The company plans to sell double that amount in 2012 with significant growth expected in Europe, North America, Brazil and Japan. ZTE also showed non-LTE products such as the Windows Phone-based Tania smartphone and a range of feature phones at CES.

"In 2012, we look forward to continuing to grow as a telecommunications leader in the US market and making today’s latest technologies more accessible to American customers," said Lixin Cheng, ZTE USA CEO and President, North America region.