China's largest carrier ends talks for Apple iPhone
by Thomas Ricker 
posted Jan 14th 2008 at 2:56AM
It wouldn't be the first time a company has used the press to bolster their negotiating position. Nevertheless, after saying the "iPhone model was not suitable for China" back in November, a spokesperson for China Mobile now says they've "terminated" discussions with Apple to bring the iPhone to China. China's largest carrier gave no reasons for the decision though the fee sharing agreement is likely a contributing factor. Well Steve, there's always China Unicom.
Filed under: Handsets, China Unicom, Apple, China Mobile
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rpa @ Jan 14th 2008 10:29AM
China Telecom probably wanted the technology as well as the revenue. Good for Apple for refusing. Now, can we have an unlocked GSM version?
Constable Odo @ Jan 14th 2008 10:39AM
That's a groinkick to Apple. I hope they can come up with a deal with the number 3 carrier in China. Just somehow get the iPhone in China so China Mobile can see what a mistake they made.
MIKE @ Jan 14th 2008 2:12PM
Good for China Mobile sticking to their guns and not giving into greedy greedy Steve. Steve's already got enought carriers lining his pockets for no reason. I don't see RIM collecting any portion of my monthly phone bill so why should Apple feel they have that right?
I'm just so sick of hearing about the iphone.
mike168 @ Jan 14th 2008 2:39PM
*Different Mike!* Actually RIM does get a portion of the BB Data plan monthly fee, probably nowhere near the Apple sum though.
Walter @ Jan 17th 2008 1:22AM
Why do we assume that to get into China Apple has to go through a carrier? Apple needs to export iPhones, not this US model of carrier enslavement of devices. Nokia and Motorolla have sold hundreds of millions of handsets in China without having any of them locked. And the voice and data revenues per customer are much lower in China anyway, so Apple is keeping itself out of the world's biggest market by forcing an issue that probably won't generate that much revenue for them even if they could dictate their terms. When China Mobile has 350+ million customers, they aren't going to let a co. with a single luxury phone, no matter how cool, rewrite their business model. It's a damn shame Apple is trying to export the US model of carriers locking phones to the world.
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