China Unicom, Telstra struggling with Chinese iPhone demand
updated 11:10 am EST, Wed November 24, 2010
Blame put partly on Apple
Carriers serving Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland are having a difficult time dealing with the country's iPhone 4 demand, a report suggests. China Unicom is said to be attributing the problem to Apple, noting that it has not kept up with orders. Unicom is believed to have ordered about 600,000 iPhone 4s, but there is no indication of how many have actually been delivered.
Telstra, which operates in Hong Kong as CSL, says it is also experiencing trouble meeting demand. Apple's own regional online store lists the iPhone 4 as completely unavailable. The problem is likely connected to the region's thriving gray market, as Hong Kong iPhones are unlocked, and comparatively cheap next to the models sold in the rest of China.


