It’s official: Apple, China Unicom strike 3-year deal

by admin August 28, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Following weeks of speculation and false reports, Apple and China Unicom have finally hurdled the Great Wall for a three-year deal to sell the iPhone.

Multiple reports have confirmed the agreement on behalf of both China Unicom and Apple. According to The Wall Street Journal, the carrier will offer two versions of the iPhone in the fourth quarter of 2009. As expected, the device will have its Wi-Fi capabilities disabled, as required by government regulations.

China Unicom also plans to launch its 3G network on Sept. 28 in anticipation of the iPhone’s debut. The nation’s second-largest carrier has an estimated 141 million subscribers, and the state-owned provider will offer 3G access to start in 285 cities, expanding to 335 locations before 2010.

Read more: appleinsider.com