China Unicom Rolls Out Their Own Solution to 'Antennagate'

[Michael Essany]

As China Unicom prepares to introduce the iPhone 4 to the world's largest mobile population next month, officials in China are under no illusions about the handset's somewhat troubled past regarding the so-called "Death Grip" in places where the iPhone 4 is currently available and already in widespread use.

As a result, the Chinese carrier announced that it will take special steps to address "Antennagate" in China when the device hits consumers in a matter of days. But it doesn't appear that China Unicom is thinking outside the box in terms of proposing a viable preemptive solution to curbing the dropped call phenomenon that delivered the worst PR black eye to Apple in the Cupertino-based company's long and storied history.

When the iPhone 4 officially launches on September 16th, China Unicom is promising a "free gift" to come with the purchase of the popular device. Any guesses as to what it may be? If you speculated that it might be a free case, you would be right. Although it isn't yet clear if the "free gift" will be immediately included with the iPhone 4 at the point of purchase or shipped later, China Unicom isn't taking any chances with "Antennagate."

The huge Chinese carrier likely wants a smooth arrival for the iPhone 4 and a positive consumer response to all things Apple, as China Unicom is expected to roll out the iPad not long after the iPhone 4 is released.

Caixin

[SeedlessOne]

to bad im still waiting on my "free gift"

[Captinsmooth]

So that means a CDMA iPhone 4 is now on the market, right?

[Cowboy]

So that means a CDMA iPhone 4 is now on the market, right?

still gsm

[jake61341]

I got my 'free gift' last week. I like it a lot.

[havoc0351]

So that means a CDMA iPhone 4 is now on the market, right?

Not necessarily, China Unicom runs CDMA and GSM side by side...

[kadinh]

for being free, its not too shabby.

[evolasme]

to bad im still waiting on my "free gift"

really? mine came a couple weeks ago.. im in germany and what was weird. I chose the case from Griffin which at the time i ordered said would take 6 to 8 weeks. so i was pretty shocked when it showed up so soon

[lerrysan]

Why are people still talking about a CDMA iPhone. If you would of seen the keynote for the first iPhone when it was introduced, Steve said that he had mas a GMS iPhone and that that's the road he was taking..... JESUS... Get over it!!!!!

[M4tt Dam0n]

I'd rather pay for a gift, so you can get a refund if you're not satisfied :-D lmao

[havoc0351]

Why are people still talking about a CDMA iPhone. If you would of seen the keynote for the first iPhone when it was introduced, Steve said that he had mas a GMS iPhone and that that's the road he was taking..... JESUS... Get over it!!!!!

For reals yo!!! LOL...

[jmcgee_jr]

Why are people still talking about a CDMA iPhone. If you would of seen the keynote for the first iPhone when it was introduced, Steve said that he had mas a GMS iPhone and that that's the road he was taking..... JESUS... Get over it!!!!!

Lerry,

people still talk about it because...wait for it...people like choice, not everyone gets great service from ATT and not all people want to JB and run 2G on TMO. That's why.

[alexevo]

It is GSM not CDMA. You guys are confusing China Unicom, which is GSM with China Telecom, which is CDMA(also landline).

Be realistic. If Verizon had that many iPhones on their network don't you think they'd be brought to their knees as well? Maybe not as bad as AT&T but it isn't some oasis of unlimited bandwith and guaranteed service everywhere with Rev. A speeds all the time. That much data usage on ANY network is crippling to a telecommunications company.

[havoc0351]

Lerry,

people still talk about it because...wait for it...people like choice, not everyone gets great service from ATT and not all people want to JB and run 2G on TMO. That's why.

I think what you mean is that people want another choice because you pretty much just listed their choices.

[StevenB]

really? mine came a couple weeks ago.. im in germany and what was weird. I chose the case from Griffin which at the time i ordered said would take 6 to 8 weeks. so i was pretty shocked when it showed up so soon

Same here. I'm the US and got my Griffin case a couple weeks ago. In the original email from Apple it stated I would receive it at the beginning of September.

[macsoldier]

wouldn't surprise me if Apple moved everything to China

[brianlg]

I got my free bumper like a week after the app came out..

[foxmax]

I dont understand why verizon lovers are waiting for a cdma Iphone... get over it... GSM is the dominant market period and if you want the iphone so badly that you can take it anymore, then switch to ATT. Is not that hard when you really want something so bad and work hard for it... DUH!!!!!!

[unison999]

I dont understand why verizon lovers are waiting for a cdma Iphone... get over it... GSM is the dominant market period and if you want the iphone so badly that you can take it anymore, then switch to ATT. Is not that hard when you really want something so bad and work hard for it... DUH!!!!!!

Maybe they get cr@p service from AT&T where they live? Maybe they are the 2% AT&T do not cover?

[foxmax]

Maybe they get cr@p service from AT&T where they live? Maybe they are the 2% AT&T do not cover?

Well thats to bad.....