HTC 'supports' Google's Motorola deal

Handset vendor claims competing with Google does not worry it

Mobile handset maker HTC has said that it supports Google's £7.7bn acquisition of rival Motorola Mobility.

The firm is not threatened by Google becoming its competitor in the hardware space, while also remaining a partner in the software space, and believes that the deal will only serve to further increase sales of HTC handsets.

"We are supportive of Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility, as this is a positive development to the Android ecosystem, which we believe is beneficial to HTC's promotion of Android phones," the firm said in a statement.

"The partnership between HTC and Google remains strong and will not be affected by this acquisition."

The announcement comes following predictions from analysts that the Motorola deal would convince handset vendors, such as HTC and Samsung, to more closely focus on their partnership with Microsoft and its Windows Phone platform.