Apple Inc. (AAPL) Gives Up Ground in Japan

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The news shows how important carrier partners are to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). NTT Docomo Inc (ADR) (NYSE:DCM) has already expressed interest in carrying the iPhone, after seeing its smaller rivals post enviable subscriber gains. Apple’s stringent carrier requirements, which include minimum purchase obligations and other commitments, are seen as a key hurdle to inking more carrier partnerships.

NTT Docomo Inc (ADR) (NYSE:DCM) counts nearly half of Japan’s population as subscribers. If Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) were to just loosen up a little bit, it could dramatically grow its addressable market by adding major carriers like NTT DoCoMo and China Mobile Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:CHL). Until then, NTT DoCoMo will keep rooting against the iPhone.

The article Apple Gives Up Ground in Japan originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and China Mobile.

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