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Buyers queuing up for BenQ phone unit?
Ex-Siemens unit sparks new interest

By Jo Best

Published: Wednesday 10 January 2007

Two groups are now bidding to take control of BenQ Mobile, the now insolvent former joint venture between BenQ and Siemens.

Biometrics tech vendor Sentex has announced it is in talks to buy BenQ Mobile and the BenQ Siemens brand, citing Siemens previous R&D efforts as well as the company's market access as having piqued its interest.

Sentex's offer is the second bid for the handset maker, following an earlier approach by a US-German investment group. Both bids have since been rejected by BenQ Mobile's creditors, according to Reuters.

BenQ Mobile filed for insolvency late last year, following BenQ's decision to pull out after suffering what it called "unsustainable losses". Insolvency proceedings were started earlier this month.

Despite an official launch in 2005 and some well-received mobiles, the company reported poor sales as it struggled to compete against more trend-savvy big brand rivals.