Apple and China Mobile sign long-awaited deal

Apple (APPL.NASDAQ) and China Mobile (CHL.NYSE) late Sunday struck a deal that will open the world’s largest mobile market to the world’s most valuable technology company, Financial Times reported. The iPhone 5s and 5c, Apple’s most recent smartphones, will go on sale on January 17 in China Mobile’s retail stores for the first time. No pricing for the iPhone or release date for the iPad was announced. The deal had been aided by the Chinese government’s grant of 4G network licenses to its three main telecoms carriers, which boost the compatibility of the iPhone with China Mobile’s networks and were finalized in early December.