The iPhone should have been there in China by now if things were not that complicated between Apple and China Mobile. The exact reasons for the disagreement between the two companies is not known. China still is out of the iPhone map despite the many closed door conferences between the representatives. At this point, as observers we do feel that something is not going quite well and have this feeling that the negotiation may never happen or at least will take more time. Hearing the news, “negotiation is almost complete” has become a repetitive news.

Why still China Mobile, when talks have failed for almost a year and when there is a better alternative in  China Unicom that has about 130 million subscribers. China Unicom should have been a good pick for Apple as the carrier in the bit to compete with China Mobiles will soon be introducing international 3G standard.

China Mobile has more subscribers, however, when it comes to the technology China Unicom is well ahead. Moreover, for Apple it would have been less frustrating to negotiate with China Unicom.  It would also have been the best chance for China Unicom to compete with the long established China Mobile. This is a very bad situation for iPhone fans who had been waiting for the early launch of the device. The two companies are just happy keeping their fingers crossed with some loggerhead kind of attitude, “I can survive without you, actually I don’t need you.”

China Mobiles is comfortable enough with its 400 million plus subscribers and Apple also do not need to struggle to push the iPhone 3G for sale. The best reason and explanation for the two parties turning their backs to each other and walking away coolly is the comfort level they have in their own spaces.

We have heard enough of “the deal is almost done,” but it never comes. At this stage we wonder why Apple is still harping on China Mobile? It was the revenue sharing model that scared away China Mobile, yet Apple came back to negotiate. What is the disagreement at present we don’t have any clue actually. In other countries Apple did not particularly pick big players? What is this special reservation for China? At this point in time, Apple should really consider partnering with the smaller player instead of harping around the bigger one that is not likely to budge. We just kind of wonder every now and then, is China Mobiles the right choice for Apple?