Apple Music Gains Access to Over 1 Billion Customers Through China Mobile Deal

In a major play to expand its music streaming reach in China, Apple just locked down a partnership with the country’s Number 1 wireless provider – China Mobile. With over a billion subscribers on its network, this carrier basically owns the mobile market there.

Now, when those legions of China Mobile users open up the carrier’s app or visit one of its stores, they’ll see a promotion for Apple Music. Signing up and paying for a subscription will be as easy as can be thanks to China Mobile’s processing power behind the scenes.

This is huge for Apple. While homegrown services like Tencent Music and NetEase Cloud Music have totally dominated the audio streaming scene in China for years, getting China Mobile on board gives Apple Music a mega-launch pad into that massive marketplace. We’re talking potential access to hundreds of millions of new ears.

Of course, Apple Music is still an overseas service up against local faves. And censorship policies mean many international artists aren’t available. However, with China Mobile blasting its promos to the max, Apple should be able to get its music in front of plenty of potential new customers. Not to mention it can tout exclusive classics-focused Apple Music Classical to draw in listeners.