Shane Cole
Apple is seeking a Carrier Engineering Manager with expertise in China Mobile's homegrown TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE cellular networking technologies for Apple's Beijing office, signaling that the iPhone may finally be close to a debut on the world's largest wireless carrier.
The position, first spotted by Bloomberg, will act as technical liaison for Apple's carrier partners throughout the greater China region with direct reports in Beijing and Hong Kong.
In addition to expertise with GSM/EDGE, WCDMA, and FD-LTE — which are used by Apple's current regional carrier partners — the job requires extensive experience working with TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE, technologies developed by China Mobile and the Chinese government to enable advanced mobile communications without paying significant patent royalties to western companies. TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE are rarely deployed outside of mainland China.
Apple says the person who eventually fills the role will be responsible for "obtaining approvals for all Apple hardware and software, supporting carriers with new technology trials, managing carrier reported technical issues, tracking carrier roadmaps and supporting senior level engineering meetings."
When reached for comment, China Mobile's Beijing press office told Bloomberg that "China Mobile and Apple have been in talks on cooperation, and there is no information that can be disclosed."
A deal to make the iPhone available to China Mobile's 740 million subscribers has been rumored for months, and many analysts have cited the potential partnership as a key driver of increased iPhone sales in 2014. The iPhone 5s and 5c were granted regulatory approval to appear on China Mobile's nascent 4G TD-LTE network in September, though the Chinese government has yet to issue operating licenses for that technology to the carrier.
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Andrew Orr
10 Comments
They haven't even hired the person who is going to be responsible for finishing the product and getting government approval. Doesn't sound like a deal is "on the horizon" at all. Or, at least, there won't be any phones sold for quite a while.
More inventory stuffing in China. /s This is progress in the biggest market. Yay!
They haven't even hired the person who is going to be responsible for finishing the product and getting government approval. Doesn't sound like a deal is "on the horizon" at all. Or, at least, there won't be any phones sold for quite a while.
"The iPhone 5s and 5c were grantedregulatory approval to appear on China Mobile's nascent 4G TD-LTE network in September,"
So the product is finished and has been approved. I expect they're adjusting to a faster customer (carrier) response loop for new products stationing someone right there.
A China Mobile deal is a huge deal. This will greatly increase Apple's global smartphone marketshare. Greatly.
A China Mobile deal is a huge deal. This will greatly increase Apple's global smartphone marketshare. Greatly.
That is exactly waht is going to happen.
All analysts just looking at nothing but overall market share numbers have been ignoring the fact that Apple's offerings weren't even available in some of the biggest markets world wide. After China mobile, they may shift their attention to India.