Report: China Telecom May Want to Sell iPad, After All

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Hong Kong iPad Buyers Photo credit: keso@flickr.com
Photo credit: keso@flickr.com

China Telecom, the nation’s largest fixed-line carrier, has up until now, stood on the sidelines as Apple’s iPhone entered the Asian marketplace. Now comes word the carrier will enter the fray, joining China Mobile in expressing interest in offering the iPad.

“If there’s a demand from customers, we welcome any creative new device,” China Telecom CEO Wang Xiaochu said Tuesday. Wang said his company and Apple are evaluating customer interest in the device, according to the Wall Street Journal. “Both of us have to evaluate the market situation in China to see how large the market demand would be,” he said. “It will determine whether we have any interest in any cooperation.” The telecom is also working with Research In Motion and Palm. As in the U.S., Chinese carriers are eying smart phones as a way to gain more revenue.


Earlier this month, China Mobile, the nation’s largest mobile carrier and China Unicom – currently the exclusive Apple iPhone provider – expressed interest in offering the iPad. China Mobile has also said it would like to offer the iPhone.

The increased competition stems from China’s 2008 consolidation of six carriers into three and the 2009 introduction of 3G services. In July, Apple will begin selling the iPad in Hong Kong.

[via Wall Street Journal]

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