Apple iPhone With Wi-Fi Capability Clears China Regulatory Hurdle

A new version of Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone with Wi-Fi wireless Internet capability received a Chinese network access license last week, according to a notice posted on the Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center's website, indicating the device could soon make its debut in China.

An iPhone with Wi-Fi would likely be more attractive to Chinese consumers than versions of the phone now offered by China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. (0762.HK). Sales of those models, which have Wi-Fi disabled, got off to a slow start after their launch late last year in the country, which has the most mobile subscribers in the world.

The iPhone, pictured on the regulator's website, appears to be a version of the iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS, not the newer iPhone 4. Apple hasn't announced the launch of the iPhone with Wi-Fi capability in China, but mobile phones that receive the license often go on sale in the country soon afterward.

China Unicom has said it is in talks with Apple to sell the iPhone 4 or the iPad in China. It has also said it is working with Apple to introduce iPhones with Wi-Fi to the country.

Apple didn't immediately reply to requests for comment.

-By Owen Fletcher, Dow Jones Newswires; 8610 8400 7702; owen.fletcher@dowjones.com

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