China Mobile signs deal with Apple, will launch iPhone 5s, 5c in January

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
Apple officially announced its agreement with China Mobile today. The world's largest carrier and most significant remaining mobile operator to not sell iPhones will begin taking preregistrations on December 25 and bring iPhone 5s and 5c models to retail stores for sale on January 17.

China Mobile


While previously hinted at by a series of leaks and promotions, the partnership is now official, according to a press release issued by Apple. The announcement described the deal as a "multi-year agreement."

Apple's new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will be made available in retail stores operated by China Mobile in addition to Apple's own retail outlets in mainland China starting on Friday, January 17, 2014. Both phones will also be "available for pre-registration" on China Mobile's official website and from its customer service hotline "10086" beginning on Wednesday, December 25, 2013.

Apple and China Mobile have yet to outline pricing and availability of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, but will open preregistration for the devices later this week to allow customers to register their interest and request additional information. Actual sales will begin in January, during Apple's second fiscal quarter.

China Mobile is the world's largest mobile services provider by network scale and subscriber base, serving over 760 million customers.

China Mobile's Chairman Xi Guohua stated, "Apple's iPhone is very much loved by millions of customers around the world. We know there are many China Mobile customers and potential new customers who are anxiously awaiting the incredible combination of iPhone on China Mobile's leading network. We are delighted that iPhone on China Mobile will support our 4G/TD-LTE and 3G/TD-SCDMA networks, providing customers with high-speed mobile service."

Apple's chief executive Tim Cook noted in the announcement that "Apple has enormous respect for China Mobile and we are excited to begin working together. China is an extremely important market for Apple and our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the world's largest network.

"iPhone customers in China are an enthusiastic and rapidly growing group, and we can't think of a better way to welcome in the Chinese New Year than getting an iPhone into the hands of every China Mobile customer who wants one," Cook added.

Apple stated that China Mobile "now has over 1.2 million 2G/GSM, 3G/TD-SCDMA, 4G/TD-LTE base stations and over 4.2 million Wi-Fi access points, providing broad coverage to quality networks for iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c customers."

Apple China Mobile


China Mobile is also in the process of "rolling out the world's largest 4G network," the release noted. "By the end of 2013, China Mobile's 4G services will be available in 16 cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. By the end of 2014, China Mobile plans to complete the rollout of more than 500,000 4G base stations, which will cover more than 340 cities with 4G service.

"The collaboration between Apple and China Mobile will give a big boost to the development of China's homegrown 4G/TD-LTE technology. iPhone on China Mobile supports major cellular network standards, making a global phone a reality for China Mobile customers."

Analyst Chris Whitmore of Deutsche Bank anticipated earlier this month that after making iPhones available on China Mobile, Apple and the carrier will also work to bring iPads as the "next logical step."

Various analysts have estimated that the China Mobile deal will help Apple sell an additional 12 to 23 million smartphones in 2014. An estimated 40 million users are already using iPhones on China Mobile's network, although those unlocked devices have not been able to use the newly launched 4G TD-LTE or even the existing 3G TD-SCDMA networks, making them effectively 2G GSM and WiFi-only devices.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 101

    First, its about time!

  • Reply 2 of 101
    F..k yeah...
  • Reply 3 of 101
    Apple officially announced its agreement with China Mobile today. The world's largest carrier and most significant remaining mobile operator to not sell iPhones will begin taking preorders December 25 and bring iPhone 5s and 5c models to retail stores in China on January 17.

    While previously hinted at by a series of leaks and promotions, the partnership is now official, according to a <a href="http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2013/12/22China-Mobile-Apple-Bring-iPhone-to-China-Mobiles-4G-3G-Networks-on-January-17-2014.html">press release</a> issued by Apple.

    Developing

    Quoted for reference, in case it gets redacted. If true, hats off to Apple and CM. Could make the decision on the config easier for those ordering a new MP.
  • Reply 4 of 101
    lets see what negative spin the put to it..
  • Reply 5 of 101
    Time to buy Stock
  • Reply 6 of 101
    100% true, on Apples website under media
  • Reply 7 of 101
    I predict DOOMED.
  • Reply 8 of 101
    Booom!
  • Reply 9 of 101
    Nothing like keeping the momentum from the holiday quarter going on into the new year.
  • Reply 10 of 101
    rogifanrogifan Posts: 10,669member

    And I predict the stock will barely move tomorrow.

  • Reply 11 of 101
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,153member
    Nothing like keeping the momentum from the holiday quarter going on into the new year.

    That should keep the investors happy for a bit. Could add a nice chunk'a change to Apple coffers. It may have taken longer than hoped but now that' the deal is in the can Apple's market share there can only go up and probably fast.
  • Reply 12 of 101
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,712member
    OMG at last.
  • Reply 13 of 101
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,712member
    gatorguy wrote: »
    That should keep the investors happy for a bit. Could add a nice chunk'a change to Apple coffers. It may have taken longer than hoped but now that' the deal is in the can Apple's market share there can only go up and probably fast.

    Well that was very gracious from a Google guy :)

    My retirement looks a little better ... :)
  • Reply 14 of 101

    Lol that only took 5 years.  Finally.

  • Reply 15 of 101
    As a large share holder do I "sell on the news"?
  • Reply 16 of 101

    RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!

  • Reply 17 of 101
    I don't know, how much do you weigh?
    royboy13 wrote: »
    As a large share holder do I "sell on the news"?
  • Reply 18 of 101
    esoomesoom Posts: 155member
    LOL, yep, and the analysts will claim:

    1.) Already factored into the price
    2.) The Chinese won't buy it because:
    A.) They only buy unsubsidized phones
    B.) iPhones are too expensive for the Chinese market
    C.) So many cheaper clones available
    D.) iPhones are known to electrocute the Chinese
    E.) Chinese people hate gay CEO's
    F.) Steve Jobs is dead
    G.) Apple is the new BlackBerry
    3.) Apple is actually doomed by inking this deal.
    4.) But Google does robots now

    (sorry, couldn't help a few of those, I'm one of the faithful, even though my Retina Mini is stuck in a bootloop ATM)
  • Reply 19 of 101

    In other news, AAPL is down $300 per share in response.

  • Reply 20 of 101
    jax44 wrote: »
    I don't know, how much do you weigh?

    Few hundred shares...
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