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South Korea's LG Electronics Inc. said Monday that it beat other competitors including market leader Nokia Corp., to become the sole supplier of third-generation (3G) handsets to the world's major mobile carriers.

The deal with a consortium of twelve mobile operators of the GSM Association (GSMA) calls for LG Electronics to supply a 3G bar-type LG-KU250 handset model, featuring diverse multimedia functions including high-speed Internet connectivity.

LG Electronics said that it expects to supply more than 10 million units of the handset to the mobile carriers this year alone.

The GSMA represents major mobile service providers and communications equipment makers. The deal was concluded here in Spain where the association-sponsored tech show GSM World Congress is underway.

"Through this partnership, we will bring all people closer to new mobile capabilities and they will benefit from higher-quality wireless multimedia 3G services," said Ahn Seung-kwon, head of LG's mobile communications division.

The twelve companies for whom LG will supply the handset include Cingular Wireless, Hutchison 3G, KTF, Orange, Smart, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telenor, and Vodafone, which will launch the model across the world starting in April, the company said.

LG Electronics, the world's fifth-largest handset manufacturer, said it won the deal by successfully competing with seven other handset manufacturers in a total of eight criteria including price, functions and brand recognition.


Barcelona, Spain, Feb. 12 (Yonhap News)