A new Apple job posting seeking a Carrier Engineering Manager with expertise in China Mobile’s homegrown TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE cellular networking technologies for Apple’s Beijing office signals that the iPhone may be nearing a debut on the world’s largest wireless network.
In addition to expertise with GSM/EDGE, WCDMA, and FD-LTE — which are used by Apple’s current regional carrier partners — the job requires extensive experience working with TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE, technologies developed by China Mobile and the Chinese government to enable advanced mobile communications without paying significant patent royalties to western companies. TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE are rarely deployed outside of mainland China.
The position, which was first spotted by Bloomberg, will act as a technical liaison for the company’s carrier partners in the greater China region.
The person who fills the role will be responsible for “obtaining approvals for all Apple hardware and software, supporting carriers with new technology trials, managing carrier reported technical issues, tracking carrier roadmaps and supporting senior level engineering meetings.”
China Mobile was close mouthed when contacted by Bloomberg, as their Beijing press office simply commented, “China Mobile and Apple have been in talks on cooperation, and there is no information that can be disclosed.”
A deal for the iPhone to be featured on China Mobile’s 740 million subscriber strong network has been rumored for months, and the iPhone 5s and 5c were granted regulatory approval to appear on China Mobile’s 4G TD-LTE network in September.
