While vigorously soliciting ODM orders from branded smartphone vendors, Foxconn International Holdings (FIH) is reportedly looking to follow the steps of HTC to become a branded smartphone provider targeting telecom carriers and channel operators, according to industry sources.

To avoid conflict with ODM clients including Nokia, Motorola Mobility and Sony Mobile Communications, FIH has been shipping its in-house developed smartphones to some telecom carriers and channel operators through the sales channels of its business partners or associate companies.

Commtiva Technology, an end-to-end service provider for enabling smart devices founded by Motorola's former ODM business head, Martin Hanwright, has been playing such a role for FIH for some time.

Commtiva had previously shipped a number of handsets to carriers and channel operators in Taiwan and Japan, using the brand names of Commtiva or Muchtel, the sources noted.

Optimizing on Foxconn's business relations with Sharp, Commtiva has secured distribution rights for Sharp's smartphones in a number of markets, revealed the sources, noting that FIH is an ODM smartphone maker for Sharp.

FIH may find a way to push its own-brand smartphones should Commtiva be successful in the distribution of Sharp's smartphones, the sources commented.