China Unicom to pass on the next iPhone, says too much subsidies and network upgrades are hurting

16comments
China Unicom to pass on the next iPhone, says too much subsidies and network upgrades are hurting
China Unicom was the first Chinese carrier to joyfully offer the iPhone 4 when it was introduced, signing a test 2-year contract with Apple in 2010 that expires next month. 

Unfortunately this hasn't turned out the bonanza it thought it would be, as huge subsidies for the device, and heavy investments in network infrastructure to cope with the surge in wireless data demand have damaged its bottomline.

Recommended For You
That's why China Unicom is reported to pass on renewing the contract with Apple for postpaid sales of the iPhone 4S or the next iPhone, as it realized most of the profit has gone to Apple instead of to the carrier by the end of the contract. It is the second largest Chinese carrier, though, so if Apple signs up a juggernaut like China Mobile for the sixth generation iPhone, the China Unicom decision shouldn't make that much of an impact on its sales in that all important neck of the woods.

Get Visible as low as $20/mo for 1 year. Limited time offer with code: FRESHSTART

$20 /mo
$25
$5 off (20%)
Offer Ends 6.1.2026 at 11.59pm ET. New members get $5/mo off the $25/mg Visible plan, $35/mo Visible+ plan, or $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 12 months. Promo code FRESHSTART required at checkout.
Buy at Visible
Google News Follow
Follow us on Google News
Recommended For You
COMMENTS (16)