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.
[MIC Gadget via Techmeme]
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iPhone 4S Moves One Step Closer to Mainland China

Apple’s latest smartphone, the iPhone 4S, is arguably the year’s hottest handset. Not only did the company sell 4 million 4S’ during the device’s opening weekend, but the smartphone is still flying off of retailer’s shelves a month later.
The handset is so popular, in fact, that carriers are having trouble keeping up with consumer demand — Apple can’t make them quick enough. And the phone hasn’t even found its way into mainland China yet, but it’s getting closer…
Sina, a Chinese tech publication, is reporting that the iPhone 4S has just been approved by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. MIIT is a state agency in China that oversees the regulation and development of the internet and wireless networks.
This is kind of a big deal because it means that Apple’s new smartphone is getting closer to launching in mainland China. Although the handset is already available in Hong Kong, major carriers like China Unicom and China Mobile have yet to offer the device.
The word on the street is that China Mobile and Apple haven’t finalized a deal just yet, but China Unicom is said to be chomping at the bit to carry the phone. The two carriers combine for nearly a billion subscribers, so needless to say they’re very important.
After a disappointing third quarter, Apple told investors that they expect $37 billion dollars in revenue in Q4. Getting the iPhone 4S going in China would certainly help with that, but it would also add to the handset’s growing supply problems.
[M.I.C. Gadget]
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