China Unicom still not confirmed as Chinese iPhone provider

by Tim Stevens posted Mar 31st 2009 at 6:59AM

Remember how last week China Unicom brazenly threw up product images for the iPhone and a few other smartphones, implying that in the very near future it would be providing service to them? Well, funny story: turns out the company's chairman, Chang Xiaobing, is now saying negotiations are actually still ongoing with Apple and that the two have a good bit of wheeling and dealing left to do. What could they possibly still be discussing? According to Barron's, the debates focus on two primary issues: a Chinese law banning WiFi use in mobile phones; and Unicom's insistence on installing its own software on the iPhone, including some sort of *gasp* non-iTunes media player. How long now until these issues are resolved? Barron's is citing research firm Wedge Partners, who indicates it may not be until the end of the year. Better stick with those gray-market imports, folks.

Read -- Negotiations still under way
Read -- Barron's

Filed under: Handsets, China Unicom, Apple

Tags: apple, apple iphone, AppleIphone, china, china unicom, ChinaUnicom, iphone, unicom

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

mingkee @ Mar 31st 2009 3:38PM

it's pretty likely going to China Unicom, as they have UMTS/HSPA, better than China Mobile's TD-SCDMA/HSPA

Neutral

Jamar @ Mar 31st 2009 11:28PM

What law? The smartphones on the market here seem to have it. If this is really on the books then they're going to have a heck of a time trying to get rid of the gray market. Oh well, Sharp's making inroads into the market here- the SH-04A is getting a Chinese release too and I know which one looks more attractive to me.

Neutral

Paul @ Apr 11th 2009 7:51AM

Well I'm happy to report that my US Iphone now located in Northern China, which up till now has been running on wifi out of my hotel room, is now getting service from China Unicom.

They sent me a text message reading " Welcome to China and use China Unicom's network, please dial +for international calls/sms Enjoy your journey in China."