Apple signs iPhone deal with ChinaMobile

US technology giant Apple has signed a deal to bring its
iPhone to China Mobile – the world’s largest carrier.
The Chinese firm has more than 760 million subscribers
and was one of three networks to be awarded China’s first
4G licences earlier this month.
Apple has been looking to boost its sales in China, the
world’s largest smartphone market, but has struggled amid
growing competition from rivals.
The latest deal is expected to help it increase its market
share.

“China is an extremely important market for Apple,” Tim
Cook, Apple chief executive, said in a statement.
“Our partnership with China Mobile presents us the
opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world’s
largest network.”
Earlier this year, Mr Cook said he expected China to replace
North America as Apple’s largest source of revenue. The
iPhone is the firm’s most important product in terms of
earnings power.
China is the world’s biggest smartphone-using country,
with 1.2 billion users.
US technology giant Apple has signed a deal to bring its
iPhone to China Mobile – the world’s largest carrier.
The Chinese firm has more than 760 million subscribers
and was one of three networks to be awarded China’s first
4G licences earlier this month.
Apple has been looking to boost its sales in China, the
world’s largest smartphone market, but has struggled amid
growing competition from rivals.
The latest deal is expected to help it increase its market
share.
“China is an extremely important market for Apple,” Tim
Cook, Apple chief executive, said in a statement.
“Our partnership with China Mobile presents us the
opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world’s
largest network.”
Earlier this year, Mr Cook said he expected China to replace
North America as Apple’s largest source of revenue. The
iPhone is the firm’s most important product in terms of
earnings power.
China is the world’s biggest smartphone-using country,
with 1.2 billion users.
Nevertheless, analysts say the deal has huge potential.
Cantor Fitzgerald Research estimates that Apple could sell
24 million iPhones next year to China Mobile customers
alone.
Apple sold 102.4 million iPhones globally in the nine
months to September this year.
Previously, China Mobile subscribers have not been able to
use Apple’s iPhone, because the firm’s 3G technology was
not compatible with Apple handsets.
However, its 4G network will work with the iPhone 5s and
5c.
“This is one of the biggest partnership announcements
Apple has made in the past several years,” Manoj Menon,
managing director of consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, told
the BBC.
“It gives them access to more than 10% of the global
mobile phone users. It is an incredible growth opportunity
for Apple.”
However, he added that in order to fully realise the potential
of the deal, Apple may need to introduce even more
affordable phone models.
The iPhone 5s and 5c will be available to China Mobile
subscribers from 17 January.

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