China Telecom, the nation's smallest of three major carriers, announced today that it will begin taking pre-orders for Apple's iPhone 4S on March 2, with sales beginning March 9, 2012. Customers will be able to choose between the 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB models, the same options that are available world wide.

"We are really happy to offer the amazing new iPhone 4S," said Mr. Yang Xiaowei, executive vice president of China Telecom. "We believe iPhone 4S on China Telecom’s advanced 3G network will create great excitement among our customers."

Prior to this announcement, China Unicom had exclusive rights to the iPhone in the country. Rumors had been swirling over the past several months that Apple and China Telecom may have been working on a deal.