Talks on iPhone Launch in China Reportedly Stall
January 18, 2008
China Mobile has reportedly terminated the talks with Apple to launch iPhones in China on disagreement over revenue sharing and technical difficulties, according to Xinhua News.
An official at China Mobile stated that after two rounds of negotiations, the company decided to call off the talks, as Apple demanded a 20% - 30% share of revenues, according to Chinese-language Nanfang Daily. Apple is expected to turn to China Telecom and China Unicom for collaboration on launching iPhones in China, should further negotiations with China Mobile fail to resume.
Nevertheless, at Macworld Expo in San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs denied reports regarding the company's talks with China Mobile about introducing iPhones into the Chinese market. Jobs claimed that the company has not engaged in any formal discussion with China Mobile over such matters.