News
Apple in talks to launch iPhone in Japan
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, December 18, 2007
News Category: iPhone
According to a new report, Apple is in talks (Subscription req.) with Japan’s NTT DoCoMo and Softbank concerning the launch of the iPhone in the country. The Wall Street Journal reports that people familiar with the situation say Apple CEO Steve Jobs recently met with NTT DoCoMo’s president, Masao Nakamura, to discuss a deal to offer the iPhone in Japan. NTT DoCoMo is Japan’s largest cellular provider, and it has been suggested that it is likely to be Apple’s first choice as partner, as the company has shown a strong preference for signing agreements with top mobile operators. The same sources also said that Apple has also been in discussions with No. 3 operator Softbank Corp., and that executives from both companies have made multiple trips to its Cupertino, Calif. headquarters. None of the three companies has yet commented on the report.
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1
That’ll be cool Since i do visit japan on the regular. Hopefully i can get on their network when it does come out there
And my dad lives there so he can get an iphone now too.
The iphone is taking over the world.
Posted by Mark on December 19, 2007 at 7:26 AM (PDT)
2
Not possible with the current iPhone. Japan has no GSM coverage, only 3G on the 1700 and 2100 bands. Their older cell technology was PDC, which was similar to TDMA used by Cingular and the old AT&T Wireless.
Posted by Joel on December 20, 2007 at 1:36 PM (PDT)