The device, which starts at 7,999 yuan (about $1,121), will officially launch on October 22.

The iPhone Air will be Apple’s first eSIM-only smartphone in China, a big win for the company and the local telecom sector. 

Unlike other models, the 5.6mm-thick iPhone Air does not include a physical SIM slot, relying entirely on digital eSIM technology for connectivity.

This launch comes after weeks of delay as Apple worked with Chinese regulators to clear issues around eSIM deployment. Until now, China has been careful about adopting eSIMs due to data security and sovereignty concerns. 

The approval is a change in policy and could bring about broader eSIM adoption across the country’s telecom industry.

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has now authorised China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom to begin trial eSIM services. 

This means customers on any of the three networks will be able to activate their iPhone Air without a physical SIM card, a first for Apple’s devices in the market.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who is currently in Shanghai, announced the update on Weibo, writing, “Excited to announce iPhone Air will be available next week and pre-orders start this Friday, October 17!” His visit shows the importance of China, where Apple faces high competition from domestic brands like Huawei and Xiaomi.

In aligning it with the fourth-quarter sales period, Apple aims to capture year-end demand and reaffirm its focus on Chinese consumers. Experts say the move could also boost eSIM readiness among local manufacturers, benefiting a wider ecosystem of smartphones, smartwatches, and IoT devices.

With the iPhone Air, Apple is testing how fast China’s telecom sector can adapt to global standards, and whether the company can maintain its top place in the market with high local innovation.

The post Apple Opens iPhone Air Pre-orders in China After eSIM Approval appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Apple’s Chinese website now states that release information for the iPhone Air will be “updated later,” pointing to the hold-up. All three state-owned carriers, China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, plan to support the phone’s eSIM, but final regulatory clearance is still pending.

A post by China Mobile on Weibo confirmed the network has enabled eSIM services for mobile phones, though no launch date was given. Meanwhile, China Telecom briefly announced a September 19 launch on RedNote before removing the post, highlighting ongoing regulatory uncertainty.

Apple told local media it is working with authorities to bring the device to China “as soon as possible.”

The iPhone Air, at just 5.6mm, is Apple’s thinnest phone ever and entirely removes the physical SIM tray. While eSIM adoption is common in markets such as the U.S., Japan, and Gulf countries, China has traditionally been cautious, noting security and identity verification concerns. 

Previously, Apple partnered only with China Unicom, requiring in-store manual activation. Now, the company has agreements with all three major carriers, but each awaits final government approval from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which oversees telecom infrastructure and data security.

China is Apple’s second-largest market, and any postponement in flagship models could affect quarterly performance. IDC estimates the iPhone Air will account for 5–7% of global shipments of Apple’s larger models. Consumers who purchase the device abroad may face compatibility issues since local carriers will not support foreign eSIM profiles.

Globally, the iPhone Air is available for preorder in over 60 countries, including India, where it starts at ₹1,19,900. The delay in China reveals the challenges of a uniform global rollout, even as Apple phases out physical SIMs to enable slimmer designs and larger batteries.

The post Apple Delays iPhone Air Launch in China Over eSIM Approval appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

He led with strength and conviction. His presence on the Board was unifying. He championed good governance, corporate responsibility, and long-term value, deeply committed to the greater good. In challenging times, he remained a stabilising force.

Karl Toriola, the CEO of MTN Nigeria in a tribute to the pious leader, remembered some of his (Dr. Dozie’s) landmark contributions;

1. MTN Foundation

Dr. Dozie championed the incorporation of the MTN Nigeria Foundation in 2004, signaling the telco’s commitment to dedicating a percentage of profit after tax to social investments;

As part of its ongoing investment in education, the MTN Foundation has awarded 14,728 scholarships in the past 15 years, worth over NGN3 billion.

2. MTN Switching Centres

He fully backed the management team towards the launch of one of Africa’s largest switching centres in 2010. Presently, MTN has a switching center in Ojota, and another one in Ikoyi, Lagos, which are data centers that host servers and IT infrastructure.

3. Resolution of tax issues

MTN Nigeria’s often impressive profit margin faced threats on two fronts as earnings were hit by a weak naira and a tax demand threatens from the tax authorities.

There was a technical disagreement between MTN and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as to how $1.04 trillion Fine should be treated for tax purposes. However, Dr. Dozie played “significant role in 2015 during critical conversations around the regulatory fine and its resolution”, Toriola wrote.

4. 3G Feature Phone

In 2018, MTN, in partnership with KaiOS Technologies, China Mobile, and UNISOC, introduced Africa’s first 3G feature phone, codenamed the “MTN Smart”.

The device was launched to provide affordable connectivity in Africa, initially in Nigeria and South Africa, and later in other MTN markets.

5. MTN listing on Nigerian Exchange

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc was listed on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Stock Exchange by introduction on May 16, 2019.

Following the successful listing, MTN Nigeria became the first Mobile Network Operator to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

“His unwavering belief in Nigeria’s potential and his dedication to its development were truly inspiring. His leadership at MTN Nigeria laid the foundation for our success, and his legacy will continue to guide us in the years to come,” Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria.

The post Five Landmark Contributions of Pascal Dozie as Chairman MTN Nigeria appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Targeting the commercialisation of 6G networks by 2030, China plans to finalise 6G standards by 2025. 

The low-earth orbit satellite, developed by China Mobile and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is designed to explore integrated space and ground communication networks.

This satellite supports a distributed system that allows adaptable deployment of core network functions and software updates in orbit, enabling China’s plans in the 6G sector. 

The anticipated 6G network brings huge advancements over 5G, including higher speeds, lower latency, and new applications in pervasive intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and ultra-low latency communications. These improvements could benefit areas such as digital twins, smart agriculture, and precision healthcare.

The satellite’s low-earth orbit enables reduced latency and enhanced data transfer rates compared to traditional high-orbit satellites, potentially boosting global satellite internet services and bridging gaps in terrestrial mobile networks.

In July, Chinese engineers from the Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications demonstrated a 6G field test network using existing 4G infrastructure. This experimental network, employing semantic communication, reportedly achieved a tenfold increase in key metrics like capacity and coverage.

Professor Zhang Ping, who leads the research team, highlighted the importance of integrating communication technology with AI, suggesting that 6G’s widespread reach will largely enhance AI abilities. 

This network exemplifies the deep integration of communication technologies and AI, which experts predict will enable new digital economy business models.

Globally, other countries are also advancing in 6G development. Japan aims to establish key 6G technologies by 2025 and plans to offer “beyond 5G” services by 2030 through partnerships with major companies like NTT Docomo and Sony. 

Similarly, the United States and nine other countries have outlined principles for 6G networks, focusing on national security, spectrum efficiency, and privacy protection.

The post China Begins Transition to World’s First 6G Technology appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.