Apple Gets Network Access Permit For iPhone 4S In China; Launch Imminent

Couple of weeks back we had reported that Apple had received an approval for iPhone 4S  from Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) - the state agency in China that regulates the Internet and wireless communications. But they had to wait for the network access permit to start selling their new iPhone in the country.

M.I.C Gadget now reports that Apple has received the network access permit for iPhone 4S.

M.I.C Gadget reports:

the 4S had cleared the required MIIT regulatory hurdles and the device obtained a three-year valid Radio Transmission Equipment Type Approval Certificate (RTETAC), which is one of the requirements for getting MIIT’s network access license. The model submitted for testing was compatible with GSM, WCDMA, HSDPA / HSUPA, Bluetooth, and WAPI (WLAN Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure).

M.I.C Gadget reports that Apple and China Unicom's, Apple's iPhone carrier partner in China, are hoping to launch iPhone 4S this month.

the iPhone 4S has finally been granted the permit, and China Unicom is now expecting to launch the device this month. The company told Chinese news website Sohu that the preparation work for sales channel, staff training and network testing is completed. They will try their best to make the iPhone 4S’s arrival official by Christmas and New Year.

 M.I.C Gadget reports that China Unicom expects the 16GB iPhone 4S to be available for 4,999 yuan (approximately $789) without contract, which is more expensive than US prices, where a 16GB iPhone 4S is available for $649, but cheaper than India where the entry level iPhone 4S is available for approximately $875.