Best Buy China to sell China Unicom's 3G products

Aug. 4, 2009 (China Knowledge) - Global consumer electronics retailer Best Buy Co Inc's China unit recently announced that it has formed a strategic partnership with China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd<600050><0762>, sources reported.

Under the terms of the partnership, Best Buy China Ltd will sell China Unicom's 3G terminals, data cards, call packages and 3G Internet services.

The two companies will also cooperate to display and promote products and technology and will offer comprehensive solutions with handset terminal manufacturers.

This is the first time China Unicom has offered its 3G products and services through the world's leading 3C chain retailer, said Lu Dongliang, vice manager of China Unicom Shanghai.

China Unicom, the country's second-largest telecom operator, was authorized to offer 3G services based on Europe's WCDMA standards at the beginning of this year. It offers 3G services in 100 Chinese cities and attracted 470,000 3G subscribers in the second quarter.

Local media last week reported that China Unicom had signed an exclusive three-year agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone, which may become available in China at the end of September.