The latest data released by China Telecom shows that in 2011, over 500 models of Tianyi 3G mobile phones were sold, reaching a total of 34 million units throughout the year. Among these, the annual sales volume of 3G smartphones exceeded 16.6 million units, an increase of more than 10 times compared to 2010. It is predicted by the telecom sector that by 2014, the scale of China Telecom's Tianyi users will exceed 200 million, with the proportion of newly added 3G users in the market being over 70%.
Additionally, it was reported that China Telecom offers three package options for platinum and gold card users: 389 RMB, 489 RMB, and 589 RMB per month, along with a terminal subsidy policy ten times the monthly rent. This means if a user subscribes to the 389 RMB package, China Telecom will subsidize 3890 RMB for the purchase of a phone.
According to the MIIT Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center website, the model number of the telecom iPhone 4S is A1387, which is the same as the American version. An insider from Guangdong Telecom told South Daily that the telecom version of the iPhone 4S is the "authentic" American version of the iPhone 4S.
"Due to the confidentiality agreement between China Telecom and Apple Inc., the package price for the CDMA version of the iPhone 4S will only be announced later this month," an insider from China Telecom told South Daily. The CDMA version of the iPhone 4S belongs to the second phase of the 'Dragon Plan'. The 'Dragon Plan' adopts strategies of 'unified package', 'unified subsidy', 'unified presentation', and 'unified promotion' nationwide, meaning the release and subsidy policies for the telecom version of the iPhone 4S will also be unified nationwide, and provincial companies do not have the authority to set packages.
Xsolaoyo: The subsidy ratio will exceed 60%, and telecom might invest 2 billion yuan to compete with Unicom.
A Guangdong Telecom official revealed that China Telecom's 'Dragon Plan' began implementation at the end of last year. In the first stage, the Dragon phones included six models such as Samsung I509 and Motorola XT882. The subsidy ratio for the first phase reached 42%, mainly in the form of package and call fee subsidies. However, the subsidy ratio for the telecom version of the iPhone 4S will exceed 60%.
Apple CEO Tim Cook admitted last month during a telephone conference that the company underestimated the demand for the iPhone 4S in the Chinese market. Guotai Junan's latest research report pointed out that China Telecom has finally obtained the magical device from Apple, but questions remain: Who are the target users for the iPhone 4S? How can differentiation be achieved? How can value-added services be realized? "This is a major test for Telecom."
Telecom insiders acknowledged that although Telecom hopes to attract high-end users with star products like the iPhone 4S, the timing of its introduction determines that China Telecom cannot solely rely on the iPhone since Unicom has already taken the lead.
"Although the 2012 terminal development 'Dragon Plan' focuses primarily on the iPhone, it also includes other Android smartphones with good cost-performance ratios." Telecom insiders stated that according to the strategic deployment of China Telecom Group, their terminal strategy will first focus on mid-range smartphones priced between 700 and 2000 yuan, promoting multi-operating system development. "The iPhone is merely an embellishment."
It was further disclosed that the subsidy ratio for the telecom version of the iPhone 4S will exceed 60%. Industry insiders widely speculated that China Telecom would invest approximately 2 billion yuan in marketing expenses for the iPhone 4S.
Xsolaoyo: The telecom version of the iPhone 4S supports multiple modes but single standby, supporting WCDMA and GSM networks abroad.
South Daily exclusively learned from inside sources at China Telecom that Apple will formally announce cooperation with China Telecom next week and release the telecom CDMA version of the iPhone 4S. Currently, various provincial branches of Telecom are making final preparations before the launch, including system integration and channel distribution.
Guangdong Telecom has clearly defined the composition of the iPhone 4S sales outlets, which include both their own service halls and authorized social service halls, as well as channels like Suning and Gome. Given that Suning and Gome have already started selling the Unicom version of the iPhone, Telecom will directly compete with Unicom through social channels.
By the end of 2011, China Telecom's mobile business had over 129 million users. China Telecom set the development tone for 2012 as breaking through scale, particularly in mobile user scale. Chairman Wang Xiaochu of China Telecom expected that the total demand for CDMA terminals in 2012 would reach 80 million units, among which 45 million would be smartphones.
China Telecom became the second domestic operator to partner with Apple. Telecom insiders revealed that Apple will officially announce cooperation with China Telecom next week. "This time point is determined by Apple, and the formal launch of the telecom version of the iPhone 4S may not happen until the first week of March, although we are already eager."
Currently, all provincial branches of China Telecom have received group notifications to attend final training and deployment in the south by the end of this month. Participants will primarily consist of responsible persons for the Tianyi terminal sales across provinces and cities. The most concerning prices and contract plans will also be finalized at the training meeting at the end of the month.
Xsolaoyo: Is it the top priority or just an embellishment?
Xsolaoyo: The telecom version of the iPhone 4S may be launched in March. Multiple versions of the telecom version of the iPhone 4S tariff packages have been circulating. Online rumors suggest that the contract total price for the telecom version of the iPhone 4S is 5399 RMB. This package includes two-year and three-year plans, with the lowest two-year plan starting at 49 RMB, while the lowest three-year plan starts at 89 RMB, which is 481 RMB lower than China Unicom's iPhone 4S package plan. Moreover, signing a three-year contract with the 389 RMB package allows one to get the 16GB version of the iPhone 4S for free.
An insider from Guangdong Telecom told South Daily that when using the telecom version of the iPhone 4S locally, it will not support Unicom's and Mobile's WCDMA and GSM networks, meaning it cannot use Unicom's and Mobile's SIM cards. However, when roaming abroad, it will prioritize CDMA networks; if there are no CDMA networks available, it will automatically roam to WCDMA or GSM networks without changing the number.
"China's demand for the iPhone 4S has exceeded our expectations," said Apple, adding that they will seek more partners besides China Unicom and continue to expand this market.
After the official release of the telecom version of the iPhone 4S, there will be two types of domestic versions in the market: the telecom version and the Unicom version. Unlike the Unicom version, which blocks the CDMA network, the telecom version of the iPhone 4S supports CDMA, WCDMA, and GSM three network systems.
Relevant thematic articles:
13422476859 Guangdong Yangjiang University
Telecom insiders revealed to South Daily, and the product installed on railway passenger cars we ride.