iPhone 5 Receives Approval For Network Access License In China

Back in September, we reported that iPhone 5 has passed 3C (China Compulsory Certificate) and is awaiting a network access license and approval from the China Radio Management agency. Today, the device has also received approval for a “network access” license in China, according to a report by WSJ.

IPhone 5 China 315x315

The report confirms that the iPhone 5 is fully compatible with the network standard supported by China’s third-largest mobile carrier China Telecom, who has recently started accepting pre-orders for the device. Chinese vendors usually start selling new handsets within weeks of approval by China’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center.

Earlier this month China Telecom chairman Wang Xiaochu told the Wall Street Journal that the company hoped to begin offering the iPhone 5 by early December.

The regulator said in two posts on its website that it had approved licenses for an iPhone supported by China Telecom and one supported by China Unicom.

Some analysts say that the longer it takes for China to approve the phone, the more users will look to smartphones running Google Inc.’s Android operating system.

Apple has previously said it expects the iPhone 5 to be available in 100 countries by the end of 2012.

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.