Russia’s largest mobile carrier accuses Apple of dictatorship

It is well known that Apple does delve into the dark underworld of pressuring mobile carriers into getting their own way. It was with a recent iPhone launch that Vodafone New Zealand lost their near-monopoly on the New Zealand iPhone market. While reasons were never discussed, they are easily guessed.

Now, Russia's largest mobile carrier, Mobile TeleSystems, is unhappy with Apple's demanding nature, going to the point of calling Apple a dictatorship. While other Russian carriers such as MegaFon simply refuse to stock the iPhone.

“They’re more in a dictatorship mode where they say, ‘This is what you have to do or you don’t get the iPhone,’” MTS vice president of marketing Vasyl Latsanych said. “Being arrogant with your partners in big markets doesn’t pay off.”

Furthermore, the price of the iPhone in Russia is much more compared to the United States. An off-contract device will set you back around $650 stateside, while it is not uncommon to see it go for over $1000 in Russia.

While smartphones aren't massively popular in Russia right now, ownership is expected to reach 60% by the end of 2014. It currently sits at 15.4%.

KitGuru says: Apple, competition is good thing. Even for you.

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