China Telecom, China’s state-owned telecommunications company, plans to offer Apple’s popular iPhone in China before the year ends, reportsReuters.
An anonymous source close to the company told Reuters:
“It’s expected to happen this year. China Telecom already has the required technology and it all hinges on content of the agreement. As we all know, it’s not easy to negotiate with Apple.”
If true, this makes China Telecom the second operator to do so in the world’s largest mobile phone market, following China Unicom.
In the meantime, China Mobile has also been getting iPhone rumors after Apple COO Tim Cookvisited its HQlast month and theleaked image of an iPhone prototyperunning on the network.
In May, China Telecom Chairman Wang Xiaochu told a news conference that the carrier had contracted Apple to launch the iPhone based on CDMA technology. The telecommunications company had 105.7 million mobile phone users as of May.
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This deal is equally huge for both China and Apple. It was reported last month that China has recently becamethe second largest marketfor iPhone app store downloads after the United States.
Story byFrancis Tan
Francis Tan is the Asia editor of TNW, who is based in the Philippines. He is particularly interested in Asian Internet startups, social me(show all)Francis Tanis the Asia editor of TNW, who is based in the Philippines. He is particularly interested in Asian Internet startups, social media and e-commerce. Get in touch with him via Twitter@francistanor Emailfrancis@thenextweb.com.
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