Vodafone eyeing "

British mobile phone company Vodafone is expected to sell own-brand low-cost 3G handsets starting October, a source close to the company, quoted by a Reuters report, said.

The report said Huawei Technologies, China's largest telecom equipment maker, would supply the handsets, according to the source, adding that the deal would allow Vodafone to have the handsets customized for its specific services.

The handsets would be available in all of Vodafone's major markets on both contract and prepay tariffs, the report said.

The source did not give details of the size and value of Vodafone's contract with Huawei.

Vodafone was not available for comment, the report said.