Apple plays Mobile Operators over Japanese iPhone Launch

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Apple Inc is playing Japan's top mobile operator NTT DoCoMo Inc against No. 3 carrier Softbank Corp (9984.T: Quote, Profile, Research) on selling the iPhone in Japan, meeting executives from both companies, sources said on Tuesday. Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs recently met with NTT DoCoMo President Masao Nakamura, the Wall Street Journal said. A company source told Reuters the meeting "may well have happened." Sources have said executives from both DoCoMo and Softbank have met with Apple executives to discuss Apple's demands over the past year to become exclusive carrier partner for the iPhone - which brings together Apple's iPod music player, a video player and a Web browser.

Spokesmen at DoCoMo and Softbank declined to comment. Apple needs a local partner to make the iPhone launch possible in Japan to help connect to the wireless networks in the world's most advanced mobile phone market. But both DoCoMo and Softbank executives have balked over the share of subscriber revenue that Apple is demanding, sources said. Apple has chosen France Telecom's Orange, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile and Spanish-owned O2 to bring the iPhone to Europe.

News source: Reuters

#1 Iamit2900 on 18 Dec 2007 - 14:40

I wonder whether it will be an actual hit with the community in Japan, since they use CDMA and use their phones for more things than we do. I am sure marketing will get rid of those worries.

#2 david13lt on 18 Dec 2007 - 14:48

Launching iPhone in Japanese marked is the key for Apple to get their 1% of mobile phone market till June. For it looks that Apple won't be able to sell 10 mil. iPhone units, but if they will succeed that will be something really impressive.

#3 Septimus on 18 Dec 2007 - 14:48

Why would Japan want such an obsolete phone?

At least get some decent tech behind the pretty interface before trying to ship it out there.

(3 replies) #4 david13lt on 18 Dec 2007 - 15:06

Japan people are using more mobile phones than PCs. This is the most interesting market, where computers market is decreasing, when at the same time it is increasing in other countries.

Phone is the most important there, they take photos, writes blogs, email and other thing. And that does not require to have big computer at home that you would not be able to carry with you.

Remember those movies there future people always had some king super duper gadget?.. Imagine Japan people as those from future.

#4.1 IsLNdbOi on 18 Dec 2007 - 17:08

Uh... ok.

Anyway, they've got much more advanced and feature rich phones now. I don't see the Japanese jumping for the iPhone.

#4.2 whocares78 on 19 Dec 2007 - 01:12

i honestly woudl be surprised if the iphone hits it off in Japan, they are the tech leaders in this world of ours and really know technology well enough not to be fooled by hype. which is all that sells the iphone. i expect al lthey will be interested in is the feature set, whcih we all know simply sux

#4.3 RAID 0 on 19 Dec 2007 - 06:04

Quote - (whocares78 said @ #4.2)

Yep.

#5 ralfs on 18 Dec 2007 - 17:08

http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_jp.shtml

So is this a hint that the 3G iPhone is coming?

Japan doesn't have any 2(.5)G infrastructure any more...

(1 reply) #6 LTD on 18 Dec 2007 - 17:50

2nd gen iPhone will be 3G and much more . . .

#6.1 whocares78 on 19 Dec 2007 - 01:09

you mean it will finally have half the features of EVERY other phone on the market, WOW that is impressive!!!

apple are just geniuses, how do they come up with all these brilliant new technologies. oh yeah they dont!!!

#7 Shiranui on 19 Dec 2007 - 04:06

The iPhone is nothing special, but there are a lot of Apple fans in Japan.

#8 mrmckeb on 19 Dec 2007 - 06:13

Play with fire and you'll get burnt. Yes Apple is the fire.

#9 Magallanes on 19 Dec 2007 - 13:51

Iphone will not success on Japan, cause in Japan :
a ) you can find cheapest models.
b ) a 2 megapixel camere is fine in Japan for low-profile cellphone and not for almost the more expensive phone around here.

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