Apple 3G Device Approved By China Regulatory Body

An Apple Inc. (AAPL) device with third-generation wireless technology has been approved by a regulatory body in China, suggesting the company's iPad tablet computer with 3G connectivity will go on sale in the country soon.

The State Radio Regulatory Center, a body under the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, issued its approval on Dec. 29 for an Apple "data terminal" that supports 3G mobile technology standard Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, the center's website shows.

The device also has wireless LAN, Bluetooth and GSM cellular connectivity, according to the website.

Such devices typically need multiple approvals from Chinese regulators before they can be sold in the country, including approval for a network access license.

Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said Wednesday the company plans to offer its iPad model with both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity in China, but declined to give a time frame. It currently only offers the iPad with Wi-Fi in China.

China Unicom spokesman Wen Baoqiu declined to comment. Unicom, the sole telecom carrier to offer Apple products in mainland China, said last year it hopes to offer the iPad as soon as possible. It doesn't offer the Wi-Fi version of the iPad.

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

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