China Mobile: Where’s the 3G iPhone? 中移动4G网络稳步推进 3G版iPhone或遇阻

By newsdoug on September 19, 2011

A flurry of new reports about China Mobile’s (HKEx: 941; NYSE: CHL) highly anticipated 4G network came out toward the end of last week, with news of expanded trials and a near-certain tie-up with Apple (Nasdaq: APPL) for an iPhone that will run on the network’s homegrown Chinese technology. But perhaps more interesting was WASN’T in the reports, namely any updates on China Mobile’s talks to develop an iPhone for its struggling 3G network, also based on a Chinese technology standard. One of the two reports late last week cites China Mobile Chairman Wang Jianzhou saying his company has reached an agreement with Apple to work together on an iPhone for the company’s 4G mobile network using a technology called TD-LTE, which is now in advanced trial stages. (Chinese article) A separate article says China Mobile also plans to soon wrap up its first big-scale trials for TD-LTE in six major cities, with plans to start data card trials by the end of the year. (English article) If all goes according to plan, it looks like we could see China Mobile launch serious commercial trials for this 4G network by the end of n China Mobile: where's the 3G iPhone? ext year, with full commercial service as soon as 2013 if the telecoms regulator agrees. That’s all fine and good for people looking ahead to 2013, but what’s missing here is any update from the talkative Wang on current talks to build an iPhone for China Mobile’s struggling 3G network, based on a problematic technology called TD-SCDMA. Reports have been rife for a while that China Mobile was close to a deal for a 3G iPhone, after it confirmed last year that such talks were taking place. But Wang’s latest silence looks like either he’s learned to keep quiet on sensitive matters, or more likely the 3G iPhone talks have hit a stumbling block, perhaps due to technology issues. If that’s the case, China Mobile and its stagnant bottom line may have to wait a while still for an iPhone that could bring new life to its 3G and 4G businesses.

Bottom line: China Mobile is making steady progress on its 4G network, but its chairman’s recent silence means talks for a 3G iPhone may have hit a stumbling block.

有报导称，中国移动将扩大4G网络测试，几乎可以确定将与苹果<APPL.O>合作，推适用於中移动自主研发网络的iPhone。但更有意思的是报导没有提及的内容，即有关中移动引进适用其TD-SCDMA网络的3G版iPhone的谈判。上周有报导援引中移动董事长王建宙的说法称，中移动与苹果达成合作协议，将针对中移动的TD-LTE网络推出新款iPhone。另有一篇文章称，中移动还计划尽快结束在六大城市对TD-LTE网络的大规模测试，拟在今年年底前开始数据卡测试。如果一切按计划顺利进行，中移动似乎到明年底前将正式开始TD-LTE网络的商用，如果得到监管部门的批准，最早2013年起将提供全面商用服务。这对於期待4G网络的人来说是好消息，但一向健谈的王建宙却对适用TD-SCDMA网络的iPhone谈判沉默。去年中移动确认在同苹果进行有关引进3G版iPhone的谈判後，有关协议接近达成的报导曾一度甚嚣尘上。但从王建宙近期三缄其口来看，要麽他学会了对敏感问题保持沉默，或者更可能的情况是，3G版iPhone谈判遇阻，很可能是由於技术问题。如果是这样，中移动或需等待一款iPhone问世，为其3G和4G业务带来新的活力，改善其盈利停滞状态。

一句话：中移动在4G网络方面取得稳步进展，但其董事长王建宙近期在3G版iPhone谈判上的沉默表明相关谈判或遇阻。

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