Huawei has reported a 33 percent surge in full year 2012 profits, and forecast double digit sales growth for the current year.

The Chinese equipment giant expects to post a net profit of CNY15.4 billion in 2012, on sales of CNY220.2 billion, up 8 percent. It predicts that overall revenues will grow 10-12 percent this year.

The fully audited 2012 results will be published in the company’s annual report due in April – but it is possible that Huawei’s 2012 figures could see it surpass Ericsson to become the world’s largest telecoms vendor. Ericsson reports on 31 January.

About 70 percent of Huawei’s revenue last year was generated via telecoms operators, including 45 of the world’s top 50, the firm says.

Huawei’s Carrier Network business group, its largest segment, posted sales revenues of CNY160.3 billion, followed by the Consumer business group (CNY48.4 billion), and the Enterprise business group (CNY 11.5 billion).

Two thirds (66 percent) of the vendor’s sales came from outside China. Among the overseas revenue, the Asia-Pacific region saw revenue of CNY37.4 billion, while EMEA recorded CNY77.4 billion and the Americas contributed CNY31.8 billion. China sales came in at CNY73.6 billion.