Apple and China Mobile have called off talks to launch the US group’s popular iPhone handset to Chinese consumers

. Though no explanation was given in China Mobile’s statement, there is speculation that the two firms failed to agree on a revenue sharing deal. The news means the iPhone is unlikely to be released in China anytime soon. China Unicom, the country’s only other mobile network, said last year that while it had no plans to introduce the iPhone it remained open to the idea. China Mobile has 350 million subscribers – more than the population of the US.