China Mobile announced Thursday that the carrier will welcome a new brand partner, December 18. Years of speculations strongly hint at an iPhone debut on the world's largest wireless network.
China Mobile, world's largest wireless carrier brings new hope of an iPhone debut with its latest announcement Thursday, of adding a new brand to its mobile services on December 18, 2013. The official announcement has started a series of speculations that it might be Apple which will be sharing the stage with China Mobile at the official launch.
Becoming a brand partner for mobile services with China Mobile will add a new feather to Apple's hat. With nearly 760 million subscribers under China Mobile's network, Apple has a vast possibility of improving sales of its units in China, which is vastly dominated by Samsung. The Cupertino tech giant has already partnered with China Unicom and China Telecom in offering its iPhone to China users.
"A deal with China Mobile would give Apple a big boost in the China market as the largest local carrier has the most wealthy subscriber base. I estimate that among China Mobile's more than 700 million mobile subscribers, at least 10% or 70 million wealthier ones would be potential customers for iPhones," Hong Kong-based Mizuho Securities analyst Marvin Lo said, Wall Street Journal reports.
The carrier's announcement suggests the launch will be held during the company's 4G Global Partners Conference in Guangzhou.
Rumors of Apple and China Mobile partnership have been circulating for a long time now. Apple CEO Tim Cook has been untiring in his efforts to push his brand with the carrier. Since major rivals like Samsung and Sony are already with the carrier, it is evident that Apple will leave no stone unturned to join the competition.
