With the iPhone being so popular, we would expect that many carriers around the world are scrambling for the privilege to offer it as part of its portfolio which would undoubtedly attract many customers to their networks. While it did take a few years and a few generations of iPhones to pass before all four major carriers in the US finally offer the device on contract, over in Japan it appears to be quite a different story. Japan’s largest mobile operator, NTT DoCoMo, who reportedly has about half of Japan’s cellular business, does not seem too interested in the device from Apple.
Speaking in an interview, NTT DoCoMo’s Senior VP, Kazuto Tsubouchi, did not seem overly eager to get Apple’s iPhone as part of their lineup. While they are not outright rejecting the phone, Tsubouchi did point out that while the iPhone is indeed a great way to attract customers, there are strings attached to the iPhone that might not necessarily be worth the carrier’s time and money. “What we gain would be a boost to our marketing. Having such an attractive item in our lineup would help. However, you also have to ask: What are the conditions that come with the iPhone? Other Japanese carriers are selling iPhones at very low prices, and that means their sales expenses must be very high.” To a certain extent we have to agree with that statement, but what do you guys think?
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