China Mobile iPhone Launch Rumors Circulate Once Again

China Mobile is the world’s largest mobile carrier with more than 700 million subscribers, however it has never officially carried the iPhone. This we’ve heard countless rumors that the new iPhones might finally be launched on China Mobile, but so far no announcement has been made. China Mobile is going to unveil a new brand partner on December 18th, and while it hasn’t said who that partner is, rumors have started circulating once again that perhaps that day might finally bring the iPhones on China Mobile.

A China Mobile executive tells The Wall Street Journal that the carrier is ready to start its 4G service, however China has not issued 4G licenses as yet. Apple has already received the required regulatory approval for the iPhones to run on China Mobile’s network, so its now up to the carrier to finally launch these smartphones. It hasn’t been revealed when 4G licenses are going to be issued, however rumor has it that they might be issued by next week, but China hasn’t officially commented on this rumored time frame. Marvin Lo, an analyst at Mizuho Securities in Hong Kong, predicts that as many as 10 percent of China Mobile’s 700 million subscribers might switch over to the iPhones when they’re launched. This would result into 70 million new customers in China for Apple, which would without a doubt benefit from it.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: china mobile, iPhone