iPhone in japan -soon?
The big news that’s doing the rounds in the electronics world is that the iPhone will be launched in Japan pretty soon. Just as people all over the world are clamoring for unlocked iPhones it looks like the folks in Japan are just about to be treated to the real deal. The second largest economy in the world is all set to have iPhones of their own and reports from the Wall Street Journal suggest that Jobs and the other guys at Apple are working out some kind of a deal with NTT DoCoMo’s president Masao Nakamur for the domestic launch of the iPhone. It’s been rumoured that Apple is also in talks with telecom company Softbank and is keeping everyone guessing in true Apple fashion. However DoCoMo is still first preference for Jobs and his men. What is interesting to note is that Apple has not considered Japan’s second best telecom carrier KDDI for the job.
Japan is an important target for Apple if it wants to reach its 10 million device target by the end of 2008. It’s been reported that as usual the topic of how the revenues are to be shared is an issue of debate but Apple is apparently confident of sealing the deal. Also since DoCoMo and Softbank and competitors it is quite likely that the carriers will budge first. Looks like after conquering North America, Apple is now targeting the gadget freaks in Japan.
While there is no doubt that Apple will have its way with carriers ultimately, whether they will have to settle for second best, only time will tell. DoCoMo doesn’t have an EDGE or GSM network so maybe the 3G iPhone which rumours have been hinting at. Apple will have to bring out a phone that is compatible with UMTS or HDSPA standards.
It is also reported that Apple is in tough talks with Chinese carriers who are firm that they will not share revenue as is the Chinese rule. Now that’s a battle that will be interesting for who wins.
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