Apple has been granted necessary network access licensing in China for a 3G-compatible product, presumably the iPad 2, from the country’s Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, according to the Wall Street Journal. The company currently sells the Wi-Fi version of the iPad 2 in China, and has been working to get approval for the 3G version of the multimedia tablet.
3G iPad 2 coming to China soon
The approval means Apple will be able to begin selling the 3G-ready iPad 2 in cooperation with China Unicom, although neither company is commenting on when the official launch will come. Right now China residents that want a 3G-compatible iPad 2 wither buy through grey market channels, or get one through Hong Kong where Apple already sells the device.
Officially offering the 3G iPad 2 will give the already popular tablet yet another boost in sales thanks to China’s massive population and the country’s interest in Apple products.
Apple currently has four stores in China, with another set to open in Shanghai sometime this quarter. A Hong Kong store is scheduled to open this quarter, too.