China Mobile, the country's largest telecom operator, is trying to convince Apple into making a customized version of the iPhone that would work on a network based on homegrown TD-SCDMA technology, reports "InformationWeek" (http://macosg.me/2/gx).

However, most observers aren't holding their breath since Apple hasn't even released a CDMA version of the iPhone, "though it is likely this will happen," the article adds. CDMA (for "code division multiple access") refers to any of several protocols used in second-gen and third gen wireless communications devices.

CDMA and GSM are the names of competing cellular phone standards. They're about equal in the U.S. in terms of users, but overseas there's only GSM other than a few places like Japan, India, and Korea. Out of the four national carriers in the U.S., two -- Sprint and Verizon -- use CDMA, the other two--AT&T and T-Mobile -- use GSM.