Huawei headquarters in Taipei.HUAWEI, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, has released its performance for the first half of 2012 with sales revenue of CNY 102.7 billion ($16.16 billion), an increase of 5.1 percent over the first half of 2011. Operating profit was CNY 8.79 billion ($1.38 billion) with the operating margin at 8.6 percent, an increase of 20.3 percent against 2011 H2 and a decrease of 22.0 percent from 2011 H1. Huawei continues to maintain robust growth momentum although the global economic situation and telecom equipment market remains a significant challenge. "In 2012, Huawei outlined our new pipe strategy and we will focus even further on this approach moving forward to ensure more effective growth and greater efficiency to drive continued improvements in operating performance," said Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of Huawei. "We are relatively optimistic about our operating performance and profitability for the remainder of 2012." In the first half of 2012, Huawei's three business groups (BGs)-Huawei Carrier Network, Huawei Enterprise, and Huawei Device-achieved considerable progress in technological innovation and market expansion, further consolidating the company's position as a leading global ICT solutions provider. Huawei's Carrier Network BG consolidated its leadership role by launching the GigaSite solution - the first to deliver gigabyte capacities to individual wireless sites - and it also unveiled AtomCell, the most integrated solution for small cells in the industry. Huawei also deployed 38 of the 80 commercial LTE networks launched worldwide and Huawei LTE services now support 200 million people. Meanwhile, Huawei maintained its leadership position in the optical access, optical transport and packet microwave markets. To help carriers navigate the transformations in ICT, Huawei launched the first comprehensive telecom cloud solution for carriers, and helped build the China Mobile Data Center, the world's largest carrier data center. In the enterprise sector, Huawei restructured Huawei Symantec's business and enriched its ICT solution portfolios for enterprises. Huawei launched the CloudEngine 12800 - a world-leading core switch for data centers - and was also the first to offer full-view telepresence products that deliver a more natural face-to-face experience. Huawei now has more than 2,000 channel partners worldwide, including over 200 tier-1 channel partners such as distributors and value-added partners. In the consumer field, Huawei entrenched its presence in the global high-end smartphone market with flagship models like Ascend P1 and Ascend D1 becoming bestsellers in China, West Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, among other markets. Huawei now holds 12.16 percent market share for smartphones in China, ranking second according to Analysys International. Huawei also stepped-up its move towards greater openness and transparency and will continue to focus on improving the business ecosystem to enhance its globalization and localization capabilities. – SG
