China Mobile, the world’s largest cellular provider by subscribers, doesn’t appear to be making a deal with Apple on the iPhone 5 any time soon, Deutsche Bank analysts tell clients — as reported by “MarketWatch” (http://macte.ch/Lz904).
Deutsche Bank analysts said its recent meeting with China Mobile’s management indicated there was little hope for an imminent agreement because of the “heavy subsidy burden” required to bundle the smartphone as part of its service offerings. “We believe that the stars are not aligned for a China Mobile licensing of the iPhone 5,” Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note. “The government is not supportive.”
