As reported by news agency – Reuters- China Mobile, the world’s biggest telecom carrier by subscribers, is negotiating with Apple Inc to carry the popular iPhone in China. China Mobile is the only Chinese operator that does not officially carry the iPhone because its homegrown 3G technology is not supported by the chips used in current iPhone models. Rivals carriers-China Unicom and China Telecom have already signed contracts with Apple.
“We’ve been actively talking to Apple on how we can cooperate,” China Mobile Chairman Xi Guohua, who assumed the post in March, told a shareholders meeting. “I can’t give you too many details, but I’d like to repeat that both sides do hope to boost our cooperation,” Xi added after the meeting.
China Mobile shares are up about 13 per cent this year, outperforming the Hang Seng Index’s about 5 % rise. The carrier said subscribers in March rose to 667.20 million – more than twice the population of the United States – including 59.56 million 3G subscribers.
Apple iPhones are very popular in China and Chinese are crazy about these devices. Popular carriers like China Mobile cannot afford to give this device a miss on its network.
Xi also said China Mobile is trying to expand its services outside mainland China by offering 4G services in Hong Kong this year and is hoping to provide mobile service between the United States and China. However, media reports have said US authorities might deny its application due to security concerns. “We have applied to the United States for a license, but it’s not been rejected yet. Rather, it’s undergoing the relevant procedure. We hope the US government will give us their approval soon for us to expand our services there.”
