LG banks on Android for mobile boost

Company outlines plan to sell 140 million handsets in 2010

Most of LG's new handsets will be based around Android

LG has rolled out a new campaign to boost its presence in the smartphone market, announcing a major effort aimed at selling 140 million handsets over the course of 2010.

Reaching the number two spot in smartphones will mean surpassing traditional powerhouses such as Nokia, Samsung and RIM.

LG is also hoping to reach the 10 million unit mark with at least one of its 20 new models.

"We are facing another revolutionary change in the mobile industry thanks to the rapid growth of smartphones and demand for more content and better services, " said LG Mobile Communications president and chief executive Dr Skott Ahn.

"We will continue to make breakthroughs in 2010 as we strive to maintain our trendsetter status and become one of the global top two by 2012."

Most of the handsets will be based around Android. The company said that at least half of its new models will use Google's smartphone platform.

Content networks will be a central part of the service. LG is planning to offer a service known as 3 Screen which can stream and share content through its smartphones as well as TV sets and PCs.

A new LG smartphone was displayed at CES 2010 last week by Intel chief executive Paul Otellini. The GW990 was shown doing a three-person full-screen videoconference and used Intel's Moorestown platform.

The company said that, rather than focus on high-end Android models, it will use the operating system to power entry-level devices for users looking to purchase a smartphone for the first time. A run of high-end handsets is planned for later in the year.