Over the past couple of months Apple has taken a number of new steps to increase iPhone sales around the world, the biggest being its deal with the world’s largest mobile carrier, China Mobile. Apple also relaunched the iPhone 4 at a discounted price in India to push more units in the market. Apple might rely on carriers to sell its iPhones, but it has certain criterias that need to be met. Carriers need to guarantee sales volumes, only then Apple goes for a deal. Russia’s second largest mobile operator, Megafon, has not sold iPhones since 2009 just become it wasn’t able to guarantee sales volumes.
Megafon has confirmed today that it has signed a direct contract with Apple to start selling iPhones once again, after a four year break. Under this three year deal, Megafon will purchase various iPhone models from the company. The deal is similar to what Vimpelcom struck back in October 2013, becoming the first Russian mobile operator to sign a direct contract with Apple for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. Apple accounts for over 20 percent of the Russian smartphone market, getting on the second largest carrier can improve its chances of increasing its market share. The company also sells its products in the country through its official online store.
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