China Mobile `in iPhone deal'

China Mobile (0941) is said to have sealed a deal with Apple to sell the to- be-launched iPhone model in the mainland, according to Taiwanese media.迷你倉 Apple has scheduled a press conference in Beijing next Wednesday, one day after it meets the press in the United States. It will be Apple Inc's first official briefing in the mainland and may signal that China will receive the first batch of new iPhones, expected to be launched on September 20. Market observers speculate that Apple will launch its new iPhone 5S and a cheaper 5C model, including the mainland version of the latter which is compatible with the China Mobile-built domestic 4G network. Apple is losing its market share in the world's largest mobile phone market and was ranked seventh amon文件倉 China's smartphone vendors in the second quarter of the year. Market share of Apple in the mainland accounts for a mere 5 percent, due to intense competition from South Korea's Samsung and domestic brand Xiaomi. The deal will hopefully boost Apple's revenue as China Mobile has 63 percent of the 1.19 billion wireless accounts in the mainland. China Telecom (0728) is also reported to have confirmed it will be the earliest operator in China to sell the latest iPhones. According to sources, the new iPhone will be available for advance reservation before the launch. Telecommunication related shares surged upon the news. China Mobile shares jumped 1.3 percent, while those of China Telecom rose 0.7 percent. imogene.wong@singtaonewscorp.com 存倉