AT&T, Vodafone ready to buy Huawei handset biz?

It looks like the latest mobile company that could be up for acquisition is Huawei’s handset unit, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The paper says that there’s a flurry of interest around the company from venture capitalists and mobile operators alike.

The Post reports that Vodafone and AT&T are both interested in buying a 50 percent stake in the company, as are private equity firms Blackstone, TPG, and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.

Vodafone has been dabbling with Huawei handsets, which it sells as white label devices for a while now. If it’s thinking of buying itself a kit maker, is this a signal that it wants cheaper data cards and mobiles – or a hint that it wants to see a bit more customisation from its suppliers?