KT has decided to exclusively supply Apple’s third generation (3G) iPhone within next month. Accordingly, a huge change is expected to ripple across the entire domestic handset market, currently dominated by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.
A high-ranking source in the mobile communications industry on Wednesday said, “KT has recently agreed with the largest mobile communications operator U.S.-based Apple to exclusively supply smartphone iPhone, and has confirmed to have started fine-tuning detailed procedures with Apple,” and added, “Consequently, iPhone 3G or the new iPhone 3GS are expected to be released in July or August.”
Another source in the mobile communications industry stated, “KT is conveyed to be preparing a charging system for wireless data usage in order to launch the original iPhone model (i-Phone 3G) at a price less than 100,000 won (or around $79) early July and the new iPhone 3GS model in August or September.”
With KT deciding to supply Apple iPhones, domestic consumers are expected to be able to purchase the 3G iPhone being sold at an official price of $99.
KT is planning to unfold a strategy of enhancing the image of the newly integrated KT by combining the ‘innovation’ image of iPhone. In addition, KT aims to contribute in forming the domestic venture ecosystem through various contents of iPhones. However, such strategies are planned to be separately advanced from the ‘KT App Store (tentative name),’ currently under construction by KT.
[Eun-jung Kim / JYJ]
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