Malaysia getting second iPhone carrier
Yet another Asian nation is getting multiple carrier support for the iPhone. As citizens of Taiwan celebrate getting second and third carriers, consumers in Malaysia will soon have another way to connect, bringing “brutal competition” to the smartphone market there.
Bloomberg brings us the news that Apple is adding Digi.Com, which is controlled by Norway’s Telenor, as the second iPhone carrier in Malaysia.
“Growth is coming back this year,” said Johan Dennelind, CEO of Digi.Com, adding that the carrier will start selling iPhone 3G and 3GS in the coming months.
DigiCom’s three-year deal to carry the iPhone will end Maxis Communications’ monopoly on iPhone sales in Malaysia where mobile phone and data services are expected to grow by tenfold over the next five years.
“The competition is going to be brutal,” said Scott Lim, CEO, MIDF Amanah Asset Management Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur. “More and more players are coming into the wireless broadband market as the voice market matures.”
Competition is good [for consumers]
In related news, not only is Taiwan getting a second iPhone carrier, Taiwan Mobile, but a third as well. Thereupon, DigiTimes reports that Far EasTone Communications has begun taking iPhone pre-orders for delivery later this year.
For its part, Taiwan Mobile will begin selling the iPhone later this month.
With that background, I’m still wondering why Apple hasn’t brought a second carrier — think T-Mobile, which also services the iPhone in Germany, Austria, etc. — onboard to support the iPhone in the U.S. where AT&T has had many well-publicized difficulties keeping up with surging calling and data demand.
Like T-Mobile, Telenor sells and supports the iPhone, via Digi.Com in Malaysia, in multiple countries.
So, Apple, why isn’t your massive US iPhone customer base getting carrier choice? You’ve shown that it’s not only possible, but a very good thing™ in dozens of countries…
What’s your take?
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March 2nd, 2010
Well, with regards to your 2nd last paragraph, have you heard of a little thing called a “contract”? Where AT&T has exclusive rights to the iPhone for 5 years?
Ask Apple again AFTER the 5 years is up.
Fail. Epic.
March 2nd, 2010
Not only that apparently AT&T has improved service in more than one market according to PC World significantly. So Apple may have stuck with them to see if they could improve and also as the previous poster says possibly because of a contract.