3 6 Ke·2025-09-19 02:24Core Viewpoint - China Unicom is eager to support Apple's eSIM project ahead of the iPhone 17 Air launch, while China Mobile and China Telecom have been more cautious, highlighting a competitive landscape among the three major telecom operators in China [1][2]. Group 1: Operator Strategies - eSIM technology is not new to Chinese operators, as they have previously deployed it for wearable devices, indicating a mature technical foundation [1]. - China Unicom aims to leverage eSIM as a strategic opportunity to capture market share from competitors, particularly targeting high-value users [2][3]. - China Mobile, as the market leader with a 56.1% market share, is focused on retaining its existing user base and is cautious about the potential risks associated with eSIM technology [2][3][4]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - As of last year, China Mobile led the market with a revenue of 1,040.8 billion yuan, a 3.1% increase year-on-year, while China Unicom and China Telecom held 20.2% and 23.7% market shares, respectively [2]. - The introduction of eSIM reduces the cost of switching operators, which poses a threat to China Mobile's stable user base, as personal market revenue significantly impacts overall earnings [3][4]. - China Mobile experienced its first revenue decline in six years, with a 0.5% drop to 543.769 billion yuan in the first half of the year, indicating pressure in the personal market [4]. Group 3: Historical Context - China Unicom was an early partner of Apple, facilitating the iPhone's entry into China in 2009, which helped establish its high-end brand image despite not significantly increasing market share [5][6]. - The market dynamics shifted with the advent of 4G, where China Mobile expanded its lead, leaving China Unicom's market share stagnant around 20% [6]. - The current hope for China Unicom is that eSIM will attract users to switch networks, raising questions about the effectiveness of this strategy [7].