SHANGHAI: Apple’s iPhone 6 still lacks a key network access licence in China, state media confirmed on Thursday on the eve of its global launch, breaking official silence on why sales of the smartphone will be delayed.

The US technology giant is launching the iPhone 6 in 10 countries and regions on Friday including Hong Kong, but not in mainland China.

The official Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China’s key tech industry regulator, as saying Apple had won two other necessary approvals, one to certify the phone for the Chinese market and another for wireless devices.

“But iPhone 6 still needs to obtain a key network access licence before it can enter the Chinese mainland market,” the report said.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2014