AppleInsider StaffOver the last 48 hours, several overseas publications have weighed in with claims regarding when and with which carrier Apple Inc. plans to launch its well-received iPhone device in European markets.
The rumors began with a report in the Rheinische Post, which stated that Deutsche Telekom's mobile phone unit T-Mobile had clinched a deal to bring the Apple handset to Germany.
Without citing sources, the German daily said in a preview of a story to be published on Wednesday that T-Mobile is expected to sell the iPhone exclusively with a T-Mobile contract for around 450 euros ($612) starting Nov 1.
iPhone in the UK
Hours later, UK-based Times Online ran a story regarding its own region, in which it said O2 has beaten out rivals to win the exclusive UK rights to offer iPhone.
"The tie-up, the mobile phone industry’s most sought-after deal in years, marks a major coup for the 18 million-customer group," the paper said. "The final contract is expected to be signed imminently."
The UK's version of iPhone will reportedly arrive by Christmas, and is expected to prove a key weapon in enabling O2 to win and retain customers in one of Europe’s fiercest mobile markets.
The deal with O2, however, is said to come as a bitter disappointment to Vodafone, which had been tipped as the front-runner for the deal.
"Arun Sarin, Vodafone’s chief executive, had been pushing hard to secure a deal for the iPhone, which has been at the centre of one of the most fiercely contested mobile battles since the £22.5 billion auction of 3G rights," the Times said. "However, as negotiations reached a climax, he is thought to have decided that the commercial terms on offer were not viable."
iPhone in France
A third and final report published by Financial Times Deutschland appears to corroborate reports of a fall iPhone launch in Germany and the UK, adding that the device will also launch in France around the same time.
However, iPhone's European availability will be limited to just these three continues in 2007 and will not include a 3G version, the report adds.
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64 Comments
However, iPhone's European availability will be limited to just these three continues in 2007 and will not include a 3G version, the report adds.
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After reading Steve Jobs interviews on the eve of iPhone day in the us.. He cited 3 major reasons that iPhone does not have 3G.
1. Sporadic coverage outside of major metropolitan areas.
2. Current gen 3G chips are too large for iPhones current form factor.
3. Current gen 3G chips are a major battery drain..
It was almost as if he was hinting that iPhone would not have 3G for a while yet.. If what he says are actually the "real reasons," I don't see how European iPhones could have 3G unless it was designed in a larger form factor, which I doubt will happen...
Balls! I was still gunning for Orange in the UK. Vodafone would have been ok, they have the best network in the UK. But O2? They suck! They must have sold their souls to get that deal.
What about CANADA!!!!! CANADA!!!! CANADA!!!!
Yeah,
well, O2, at any rate better than Three.
Vodafone would have been the best, but this just means that maybe the iPhone will come at a more favourable rate. And it also means you will see Arsene Wenger speaking to an iPhone from the pitch-sides... :P
What about CANADA!!!!! CANADA!!!! CANADA!!!!
I am amazed Canada wasn't 2nd in line for iPhones.