SingTel to push Apple (AAPL) iPhone into Asia

SingTel, Singapore's big phone company, and some of its partners will bring the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone to Singapore, India, Australia and the Philippines. While the moves does not get the device into the huge China market, it does go a long way to helping Apple reach its iPhone sales goals and increases the likelihood that the company will have strong earning late this year and into next.

To be successful in these markets, Apple will probably need a 3G version of it smarphone, but word is that the feature will be coming soon.

Despite its success in the US, Apple is at a disadvantage to other Smartphone companies like Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Samsung, They have been in the Asian markets for years. It is not likely that they will part with that market share easily. Both companies have brought out multi-media and music stores of their own in the hope of competing with iTunes.

Apple probably already has several million unit sales in these markets locked up. The iPhone, in its unlock version, is already used on networks in Asia. The Apple brand is strong in the region because of the iPod.

The iPhone still has a chance to be Apple's most successful product, at least financially. Every big country where the iPhone is offered by a major carrier brings the company closer to that goal.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com and the author of the Ten Stocks Under $10 letter.