Seoul - In a departure from their dependence on domestic mobile phone brands like Samsung or LG, South Korean mobile carriers are preparing to launch non-Korean brands for smart-phones.
International vendors such as HTC, RIMM, Apple and Nokia will be able to sign up with local carriers to put their international bestsellers in the hands of South Koreans.
SK Telecom launches Tuesday a touch-screen Windows Mobile smart- phone from Taiwanese vendor HTC, while it is also considering launching its next version Touch Diamond smart-phone from HTC later this year.