China Unicom wins 3-yr iPhone deal with Apple

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: China Unicom has reportedly striked three-year iPhone deal with Apple in China. The operator will buy iPhones from Apple on a wholesale basis as the deal does not include revenue sharing.

China Unicom Chairman Chang Xiaobing said the operator will offer two versions of the 3G iPhone in the fourth quarter, at a subsidised price. The phone is seen boosting China Unicom’s ARPU, Chang said. China Unicom is all set to launch its new 3G network on 28th Sept, covering 285 cities and planning to reach 335 cities by 2009-end.

China Unicom Executive Director and President Lu Yimin said the company wants one-third of China’s 3G mobile market next year.