MII Sets Preconditions for iPhone's China Entry

Xinhuanet, 1/17/08

The Ministry of Information Industry (MII)'s Telecommunications Management Department has indicated that the iPhone has three regulatory hoops to jump through before it goes on sale in China.

First, overseas iPhones are sold locked to certain operators. However, MII regulations prohibit this and users must be able to switch between operators at will.

Second, phones to be sold in China must first obtain a license from the MII, allowing use on Chinese mobile networks. This involves tests of both the hardware and preloaded software, meaning that the iPhone's mapping, weather report and stock market applications will need to be approved by the MII.

Thirdly, there are no Chinese standards for Wi-Fi access on mobile phones, and while the MII has not explicitly banned it, the feature is disabled, if present, on phones sold in China. If the iPhone is to reach Chinese shelves, the same change will be necessary.

Keywords: wireless China market entry mobile mapping mobile information service mobile securities information WVAS wireless networking iPhone license MII Telecommunications Management Department Wi-Fi

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