Apple's iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c To Launch With Japan's NTT DoCoMo
by Joe White
September 11, 2013
Besides the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and China, Apple is set to bring its iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c handsets to Japan on Sept. 20, and in doing so will make its smartphones available with the country's largest wireless carrier, NTT DoCoMo.
Indeed, previous rumors had both pinpointed the Sept. 20 date, and Apple's deal with DoCoMo. As such, though the iPhone's relationship with China's largest carrier China Mobile remains uncertain, Apple's expansion in Asia is set to flourish in Japan.
Kaoru Kato, president and chief executive officer of NTT DoCoMo, said:
We’re thrilled to offer the incredible new iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c to our customers. We know our customers will enjoy the amazing experience of iPhone on DoCoMo's high-quality network.DoCoMo presently features more than 60 million customers, and while the iPhone is already the most popular handset in Japan, it's clear that Apple's deal with NTT DoCoMo is only going to help the Cupertino, Calif. company further increase its share of the country's smartphone market. In a press release, NTT DoCoMo explained:
Beginning on Friday, September 13, customers can pre-order iPhone 5c at DOCOMO dealers and the first 30,000 docomo Premier Club Premier Stage customers can pre-order from DOCOMO’s website.The iPhone 5s, however, is not available to preorder, but nevertheless is set to go on sale on Sept. 20, 2013. We'll keep you updated with further information as we receive it. In the meantime, see: In China, The iPhone 4 Is Apple's True Low-Cost Handset, Apple Vice President Greg Joswiak Talks iPhones, iOS 7 With Employees, and Tim Cook Shares Details Concerning Apple's New Products With Employees.