SHENZHEN – Privately held Huawei Technologies, China's largest communications network equipment maker, is contemplating the sale of a majority stake in its handsets and terminal operations, according to published reports.

The firm reportedly has sent proposals to Bain Capital LLC, Blackstone Group LP, TPG Inc., Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Warburg Pincus LLC, Carlyle Group, and other private equity firms.

The company has set a deadline of June 23 for bids, and has appointed Morgan Stanley to manage a possible sale, say reports.

The funds would aid in the investment in Huawei’s routers and other network gear.

Research firm BDA China Ltd. estimates the firm doubled its revenue last year to $2.6 billion. The handset division is said to have taken in profits of $400 million during this same period. Sales for the division were 16.4% of the company’s total revenue in 2007, up from 11.8% in the prior year, according to BDA.