After a number of false starts and roadblocks in neogitations, Apple finally struck a deal to bring the iPhone to China via China Unicom, the regions second largest mobile carrier behind China Mobile.
After a number of false starts and roadblocks in neogitations, Apple finally struck a deal to bring the iPhone to China via China Unicom, the regions second largest mobile carrier behind China Mobile.
In a press released released today, China Unicom writes:
On 28 August, the Company and Apple reached a three-year agreement for the Company to sell iPhone in China. The initial launch is expected to be in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009. This will provide users with brand new communication and information experience.
Well there you have it straight from the horses mouth.
As I mentioned yesterday, the iPhone in China has been a goal Apple has been struggling to finalize for months now, and with millions upon millions of subscribers, the recent deal will most likely have an immediate and significant effect on Apple’s bottom line.
Surprisingly, or perhaps not, specific details of the Apple/China Unicom deal were in short supply. Though not mentioned in the press release, Engadget points out that the deal is a 3-year exclusive agreement, and that China Unicom will “offer two different ‘3G iPhones'” to its subscribers. Notably, the iPhone in China will not come with Wi-Fi enabled, in accordance with Chinese law. Information regarding pricing and the like remains to be seen, and it’ll be interesting to see how the iPhone sells in China, a country known for a plethora of smartphone knockoffs.
