BlueAnt Wireless of Australia, the leading Bluetooth headset manufacturer in its home market, is extending its reach into Asia Pacific to double its turnover to US$200 million next year. The company chose Thailand as the first country to launch the BlueAnt Z9i next week priced at 3,990 baht, targeting the mid- to high-end customer segment.

Deb Firth, sales director for Asia Pacific and Australia, said BlueAnt was looking to tap the growing demand for Bluetooth headsets following the passage this year of Thailand's law requiring motorists to use hands-free devices while driving.

''Given the high penetration rates of mobile-phone users in the region, and China and India in particular, we see huge growth opportunities in the Asia Pacific headsets market,'' she said in Bangkok yesterday.

Based on research by IBI, Ms Firth said, global Bluetooth headset sales totalled 190 million units in 2007. The number of units sold is expected to reach 385 million in 2010.

The headset market in Thailand was expected to grow five-fold to 1.5 million units this year from 300,000 last year, driven mainly by the hands-free law. The market was estimated to be worth 600 million baht in 2007.

Founded in 2003, BlueAnt entered the US and European markets two years ago. It controls a 35% leading market share in Australia's headset market with 24 million mobile-phone users.

The company has two manufacturing facilities in China and the Philippines. It has a warehouse and headquarters in Hong Kong.

Despite difficult economic times, Ms Firth projected 100% revenue growth next year, fuelled mainly by Asia Pacific sales.