China Unicom wants iPhone, too?

If Steve Jobs dreams of anything other than cubes or the The Beatles on iTunes, it's this: China's largest carriers in a tussle for rights to sell the iPhone. We're talking about a population of some 1 billion-strong who favor BlackBerrys for their sound quality and good looks. In an apparent response to the reported talks between China Mobile and Apple, Li Zhengmao, executive director and vice president of rival China Unicom is quoted by Dow Jones as saying, "It seems that iPhone is hot in some markets. We are willing to discuss with Apple." Direct talks with Apple, however, have not begun. Mind you, those same remarks were captured somewhat differently by Reuters. They quote Li Zhengmao as saying, "Right now, we don't have any plans to introduce Apple's iPhones in China. But of course, we're always willing to discuss a good business opportunity if it presents itself. As for whether we'll talk about iPhones with Apple, you'll have to ask Apple." Still, given that the talks have just begun, it's doubtful that Apple will reach a deal similar to those struck in Europe and the US any time soon. Wouldn't it be interesting though, if Apple released the iPhone in China before Meizu's M8 MiniOne clone ever hit the streets?

Read -- Dow Jones quote
Read -- Reuters

[yatesc Posted Nov 14th 2007 10:40AM]

Here's hoping that Apple doesn't release the iPhone as government-mandated free-speech-stifling crippleware like those guys at Google do for their products.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 12:24PM]

Apple will do what ever makes it the most money. So what else is new.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 1:09PM]

apple sucks

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2007 4:13PM]

I'm not an adviser or anything but I think if apple goes with China mobile and doesn't give it to china unicom, it would be a better choice

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 5:15AM]

And I think that neither carrier will make a move. Unlocked and jailbroken iPhones are already plentiful in China. Any carrier getting an exclusive will be at a disatvantage because they will have to have theirs locked and they'll have to share carrier revenue with Apple. If they let things be, they both win- they get iPhone users (with the associated data usage) without the revenue sharing agreements.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 10:05PM]

You have a point there...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2007 5:54PM]

why doesn't china just make their own lead coated replicas for 1/10 of the cost?