China Telecom formally launches the CDMA-based iPhone 4S on March 9, 2012, and the online reservations for the phone start March 2.

The Chinese telecom operator said it will provide iPhone 4S with a two- or three-year contract. For users who sign a two-year contract, they can gain the 16GB smartphones for free if they subscribe to the package with monthly cost of CNY389; or they can gain the 32GB version products if they subscribe to the package with a monthly cost of CNY489.

For those who sign a three-year contract, they can get the 16GB or 32GB products by subscribing to the package with monthly cost of CNY289; or they can gain the 64GB products by subscribing to the package with a monthly cost of CNY389.

China Telecom said that they will offer more package choices to users, which will be published soon. The company also said users will be able to buy the iPhone 4S with contracts from stores authorized by China Telecom or from its Internet site at 189.cn.

In regards to the profit pressure brought by the introduction of iPhone, China Telecom has published a notice, stating that with the launch of iPhone 4S, China Telecom will enhance its related investment in marketing to promote the scale development of mobile businesses. It is expected to bring short-term profit pressure to the company. However, China Telecom emphasized that the introduction of iPhone will stimulate its long-term sustainable development.