The companies are trying to figure out what it'll take to get the iPhone in front of China Mobile's 740 million customers. August 15, 2013 6:18 AM PDT (Credit: CBS Interactive) The crown jewel in Apple's mobile strategy -- China Mobile -- is still not quite within reach. Speaking at a press conference in China on Thursday, China Mobile chairman Xi Guohua said that his company's "discussions with Apple are still ongoing." Bloomberg, which was in attendance at the event and earlier reported on his comments, said that Xi confirmed the talks centered on "commercial details and technology issues." Related stories iPhone 5C shows its backside in video leak Windows Phone to BlackBerry: Nyah nyah! Inside Scoop: Will low-cost iPhone be Siri-less? Or sell in new colors? Between the Spreadsheets: How good are you in bed? Samsung: Bashing Apple works The technology issues could prove to be the biggest issue for Apple. China Mobile currently supports TD-SCDMA, a technology that Apple's iPhone does not work on. However, the carrier is quickly moving to TD-LTE, which would work just fine with Apple's iPhone. China Mobile presents a huge opportunity for Apple, which has faced some trouble gaining traction in the Chinese market. China Mobile currently has over 740 million wireless customers, and none of them are currently able to buy an iPhone. If Apple can bring its handset to the network, its sales could rise considerably. Before that happens, though, the companies need to ink a deal. And Xi made no prediction on when, or if, that might happen.
The companies are trying to figure out what it'll take to get the iPhone in front of China Mobile's 740 million customers.
(Credit: CBS Interactive)
The crown jewel in Apple's mobile strategy -- China Mobile -- is still not quite within reach.
Speaking at a press conference in China on Thursday, China Mobile chairman Xi Guohua said that his company's "discussions with Apple are still ongoing." Bloomberg, which was in attendance at the event and earlier reported on his comments, said that Xi confirmed the talks centered on "commercial details and technology issues."
Related stories
- iPhone 5C shows its backside in video leak
- Windows Phone to BlackBerry: Nyah nyah!
- Inside Scoop: Will low-cost iPhone be Siri-less? Or sell in new colors?
- Between the Spreadsheets: How good are you in bed?
- Samsung: Bashing Apple works
The technology issues could prove to be the biggest issue for Apple. China Mobile currently supports TD-SCDMA, a technology that Apple's iPhone does not work on. However, the carrier is quickly moving to TD-LTE, which would work just fine with Apple's iPhone.
China Mobile presents a huge opportunity for Apple, which has faced some trouble gaining traction in the Chinese market. China Mobile currently has over 740 million wireless customers, and none of them are currently able to buy an iPhone. If Apple can bring its handset to the network, its sales could rise considerably.
Before that happens, though, the companies need to ink a deal. And Xi made no prediction on when, or if, that might happen.
