Home Technology Apple Inc. (AAPL): Can Or Will It Land A Deal With China Mobile?

Apple Inc. (AAPL): Can Or Will It Land A Deal With China Mobile?

When you purchase through our sponsored links, we may earn a commission. By using this website you agree to our T&Cs.

Just days before Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) unveiled the two new iPhone models this year, there were hints that the company was close to a deal with China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE:CHL) (HKG:941), but nothing official has materialized yet. Many investors are hoping that a deal will be struck by the time Chinese New Year rolls round early next year, but as of right now, we just don’t know.

Apple Inc. (AAPL): Can Or Will It Land A Deal With China Mobile?

Stifel analysts have run the numbers on China Mobile and provided us with an update on what a deal with China Mobile would mean to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL).

Apple’s new iPhones support China Mobile’s network

Aaron C. Rakers and the rest of his team at Stifel note that teardowns of the new iPhone 5S and 5C models show that they use Qualcomm’s MDM9615 baseband processor. This processor supports China Mobile’s TD-SCDMA 3G / TD-LTE 4G network.

Earlier this month, there were reports that Apple received a network access license from regulators for what looked like an iPhone. The company did announce a deal with Japan’s biggest carrier, NTT DoCoMo, along with the new iPhones, and a deal with China Mobile was also expected, but it did not materialize. The only question now is, what are the two companies waiting for?

What China Mobile means to Apple

Stifel analysts say China alone now has 1.199 billion mobile subscribers. Of those subscribers, 359.9 million of them are 3G subscribers, which adds up to about a 30 percent penetration. China Mobile Ltd. (NYSE:CHL) (HKG:941) alone had about 750.4 million total mobile subscribers at the end of August. Of those subscribers, 158.7 million of them were on 3G, which is about 21 percent of the company’s total installed base.

In August, China Mobile took about 63 percent of the total 3G subscriber additions, which means a deal with the carrier could add up to major revenue for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). The company set a new record for its iPhone launch weekend, selling 9 million handsets in just three days. New carriers like NTT DoCoMo probably account for a chunk of this, so the addition of China Mobile is a golden opportunity Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) really doesn’t want to miss.

Our Editorial Standards

At ValueWalk, we’re committed to providing accurate, research-backed information. Our editors go above and beyond to ensure our content is trustworthy and transparent.

Michelle Jones
Editor

Want Financial Guidance Sent Straight to You?

  • Pop your email in the box, and you'll receive bi-weekly emails from ValueWalk.
  • We never send spam — only the latest financial news and guides to help you take charge of your financial future.