This news actually goes back to mid-June
http://iphonasia.com/?p=5586
http://iphonasia.com/?s=A1324

More on China Unicom and iPhone
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/

Full iPhone in China Negotiations backstory >
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/apples-iphone-in-china-negotiations/

StarHub recommends 3G phones for use on its new Home Zone femtocell service … Look who’s on the top of their list (w a bit of help from the alphabet) Apple iPhone 3G. Funny that StarHub doesn’t even offer iPhone 3G to it’s subscribers … or will they? See > http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/starhub-launches-commercial-3g-femtocell-service-recommends-iphone-3g/

The SingTel Group launch will involve seven different carriers in as many nations and bring iPhone to a subscriber base of 136 million. This is a hugh deal for Apple. Apple conveniently has a major campus in Singapore.

Here are a few links to relevant SingTel Apple articles on iPhonAsia>
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/singtel-yes/

I attended Apple’s March 2008 Shareholder’s Meeting. I remember well that knowing “I just can’t tell you” (but you’ll know soon) smile on Steve Jobs’ face when a shareholder noted …

“It has been some time since dot.Mac has had a makeover. Are you going to refresh dot.mac this year? Can you say when?”

Here's that "look" ...

http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/dotmac-and-iphone-20/

http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2008/04/25/iphone-reception-on-steroids-femtocells/

It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine 7,000 Starbucks locations with new femtocells that beam out Wi-Fi, 3G (HSPA in the U.S.) and Wi-Max. Oh, by the way, Apple and Starbucks are getting along nicely too. “AT&T will soon extend the benefits of Wi-Fi at Starbucks to its wireless customers.”

AIS is 21% owned by Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) .... Bigger plans are likely in the works ...
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/singtel-to-bring-iphone-to-pacific-rim/
Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) may be using its holdings and control of regional telecom companies to win a contract with Apple and coordinate a multi-nation Apple iPhone launch. The launch could involve seven different carriers in as many nations and bring iPhone to a subscriber base of 136 million.

The Thai Daily, Bangkok Post and Australian IT are reporting that Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) is in talks with Apple on a coordinated iPhone distribution plan throughout the Pacific Rim. SingTel is in a position to aid with logistics and planning. Australia�s Optus is a wholly owned subsidiary of SingTel and the Singapore carrier has significant holdings in telecom companies throughout the region. SingTel website reports the group�s major telecom investments include:

v AIS in Thailand (21% owned by SingTel)

v Optus in Australia (wholly owned by SingTel)

v Bharti Telecom Group in India


v Globe Telecom in the Philippines


v Pacific Bangladesh Telecom (PBTL) in Bangladesh


v Telkomsel in Indonesia


v Warid Telecom in Pakistan

In combination, the companies above have more than 136 million mobile customers. This is the largest mobile customer base in Asia outside of China.

Dan Butterfield
iPhone in Asia
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/

My guess … Talks have occurred but real “negotiations” (serious back and forth over a contract) not even close ... yet.

AT&T made an iPhone deal without the benefit of dissecting the product. They put their faith in Apple and were rewarded. China Mobile may not take this approach. China Mobile may want “hands on” with the new 3G model before they hold serious contract talks? Apple almost certainly has the new 3G model in the hands of their Cupertino engineering team. But they may not be ready to hand it over to China Mobile … just yet.

Still much to be discussed beyond the phone ... mobile music and whether/how iTunes will make it to China. China Mobile has their own music services and they covet the revenue.

Despite the many challenges, iPhone holds huge promise for increasing subscriber data usage and enticing more customer to go on contract vs.pay-as-you-go. China wants iPhone (evidence the thriving black-market for iPhone) and Apple wants China. It will happen.

http://idannyb.wordpress.com/

RUMOR SMASHED

No problem using an Apple gift card to purchase an iPhone, either at the retail store or online.

NBC-U responds to Apple
�We never asked to double the wholesale price for our TV shows.� (Translation: well, okay � so we pushed hard for a $4.99 price-point � But come on guys, everyone knows that during contracting you toss out a high number and then the real negotiations begin. We didn�t think Apple would take us seriously. Geez! Guess Apple heard that we�re telling every media distributor in the world to ditch iTunes in favor of our new Hulu.com venture. Maybe we played our hand too soon? Our inbox is spilling over with �wishing you well� comments from iTunes customers (not). Damn you Apple! Damn you Digg!)