Breaking news via TelecomsKorea…
KT, formerly known as Korea Telecom, has officially confirmed its plan to launch Apple’s iPhone in the Korea market.
KT Chief Financial Officer Yeon-hak Kim let the news slip in a conference call on Friday, “Apple iPhone will be in our smartphone line-up. … iPhone will help to expand the smartphone market and will contribute to increasing the ARPU”(average revenue per user).
Kim declined to provide any further details, including the launch date and distribution plans in South Korea.
KT is the second largest carrier in South Korea with 15 million mobile subscribers (32% marketshare). The other primary iPhone suitor is SK Telecom, the leading mobile operator in the nation with 23 million mobile subscribers (50% marketshare). A SK Telecom spokesperson revealed on Tuesday that it too has been talking with Apple to introduce iPhone in South Korea. If a deal with SK Telecom is reached, then Apple’s iPhone will not be an “exclusive” in Korea.
Just speculation, but if the two top carriers in South Korea both wind up offering iPhone, then an “iPhone in Korea” launch date may be held up until the both carriers have inked a deal with Apple.
Read more via > TelecomsKorea
