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KTF Confident About iPhone in S. Korea, Challenges Remain

Friday, December 21st, 2007 at 12:55 PM - by

KTF is optimistic that it will, with help from NTT Docomo in Japan, win the rights to sell the iPhone in South Korea, according to the Korea Times on Friday. Even so, it's not a done deal and challenges remain.

"We want to [sell it in Korea], but Steve Jobs has been playing hard [in the negotiation]," said Kim Yeon-hak, KTF executive vice president, on Thursday. "It's difficult [to win the contract] because the size of the Korean market is small. But someday we will do it, using our relationship with NTT Docomo."

As negotiations continue, neither side is saying much. However, KTF has close ties with Docomo in Japan, and they're counting on that to help them. Apple continues to negotiate with companies in Japan, like Docomo and Softbank.

Local regulations in Apple's target countries are always a hurdle. In the case of South Korea, regulations require mobile phones to use a Korean developed piece of software called WIPI. That has created problems for other manufacturers like RIM and Nokia.

No matter what happens, it's clear that Apple is making good on its plans to move beyond Europe in 2008 with the iPhone. However, Apple may find itself more and more making technical, network, and design concessions with the iPhone to achieve its global goals.

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