Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has finally made a deal with NTT DoCoMo, the largest mobile carrier in Japan. It’s been less than two weeks since a Japanese newspaper said that the two companies were close to a deal which would bring the iPhone to network.
Apple’s deal with DoCoMo announced by Nikkei
According to Reuters, the Nikkei announced the deal between the two companies and said that DoCoMo could begin offering the iPhone as early as this fall. It still has some catching up to do with rivals Softbank Corp. (TYO:9984) (PINK:SFTBF) and KDDI Corp, which already offer Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s handset. The Nikkei said DoCoMo is expected to offer the iPhone at prices that are similar to those charged by the two competitors. The company has long avoided offering big discounts to gain market share.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has planned a media event for Sept. 10 and is expected to unveil the next iPhone. According to the Nikkei, the marketing partnership between DoCoMo and the tech company is expected to be announced on the same day.
Apple makes progress in the Asia Pacific region
The addition of DoCoMo means that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is indeed making progress in the Asia Pacific region. The carrier holds about 45 percent of the Japanese mobile market.
The fact that Apple has finally struck a deal with Japan’s biggest carrier will no doubt mean investors will start looking even harder at China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE:CHL) (HKG:0941). The largest carrier in the world’s largest mobile market has long been seen as a mother lode of opportunity for Apple, which already has deals with China Unicom and China Telecom.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has planned a second event on Sept. 11 that’s specifically for the Chinese mobile market. This is the company’s attempt to cater specifically to the world’s largest mobile market, which currently happens to be Apple’s second biggest market.
