Recently, Apple and China Mobile broke off their negotiations
over the launch of iPhone into Chinese market. Although no official
explanation has been given for the failed negotiation, some
insiders believed the failure must result from a disagreement
between China Mobile and Apple over the revenue-sharing business
mode.
However, some of large mobile phone sellers in China predicted
that Apple is likely to run its iPhone business via direct
marketing. In fact, the mobile services providing mode that iPhone
requires are totally different from the current ones in China.
Chinese mobile services providers, even giants like China Mobile
would not take the risk of completely reforming its business
operation mode just for one cell phone. With no support from mobile
services providers, Apple would probably use its mature business
network established by its iPod players to sell iPhone in
China.
For more details, please read the full story in Chinese. (http://finance.jinghua.cn//c/200802/13/n706249.shtml)
(China.org.cn February 13, 2008)