Behind Your Business

Apple will soon begin offering its iPhones through carriers in South Korea. On Wednesday, Apple jumped its last hurdle in getting the iPhone into the hands of mobile-phone users in South Korea.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based software maker has been granted the license it needed from the Korea Communications Commission. Regulators in the nation that relies heavily on domestic manufacturers, including LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, for their mobile-phone needs said companies offering location-based services such as maps and directions need permission before offering devices to consumers.

In September, the commission granted Apple that permission, and on Wednesday the commission said it would grant Apple's South Korean unit a license to allow the collection of information on locations and offer features such as maps and directions.

Expanding Market Share

Being cleared to sell the popular smartphone may help Apple sell more iPhones in a market where 96 percent of people have at least one mobile phone and there are 47 million mobile-phone users, according to eMarketer. Still, some analysts say it's not a huge deal for Apple.

"My sense is that Apple will see only a small increase in shipments since it is a small market," said Ramon Llamas, an IDC analyst. "Your remaining categories (including consumers, carriers and competitors) will definitely take notice, and expect domestic vendors LG and Samsung to come out swinging with their own devices."

On a recent trip to Seoul, Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi found people excited about the iPhone.

"I am sure that for Apple this will certainly help drive sales," she said. "Although the Korean market sees higher-than-average (prices) for devices, I think it will still be interesting to see what the premium on the iPhone will be, as that will make a difference."

"Culturally, South Korea is very brand- and fashion-conscious, so this should play at Apple's advantage," Milanesi...