Wireless carriers O2 and Vodafone began carrying the iPhone in Germany Wednesday after several years of T-Mobile exclusivity in the country, though T-Mobile will continue to sell the iPhone. The carriers offer a variety of contracts and plans, some with subsidized iPhone prices as low as 1 euro.
Apple's Online Store (Google Translation) in Germany has been updated to carry the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 unlocked and contract-free, advertising that it will "work with the wireless carrier of your choice." The company reminds users on its website that the iPhone only works with GSM networks and the iPhone 4 will require a micro-SIM card.
Customers can also puchased the iPhone from one of Apple's four German retail stores, reports German Mac site Macerkopf.de. The 8GB iPhone 3GS is available for 519 ($715) euros, while the iPhone 4 16GB and 32GB models cost 629 euros ($866) and 739 euros ($1017) respectively.
Germany going multi-carrier with the iPhone is yet another step in Apple's slow-and-steady carrier strategy. In January of this year, Apple officials revealed that they will go with multiple carriers where they believe it is appropriate, but denied that it was inevitable in every market.
"I don't want to imply that would happen in every market or that we are headed that way in every market," said Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook.
The vision of an unlocked iPhone future came more into focus Wednesday with the rumor that Apple may be working together with chip manufacturer Gemalto to develop a programmable SIM that can be activated without having to call or visit a carrier. With the rumored technology, iPhone users could travel to other regions and countries and obtain service without the need for a unique SIM from each different location.
The next big blow to iPhone carrier monopolies could come in the form of the long-rumored CDMA iPhone. Though rumors of a CDMA-capable iPhone have persisted for years, multiple media outlets (1, 2, 3) now report the handset as ready to begin production this fall. A CDMA iPhone would work on a number of networks around the world, including Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and China Telecom.
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"I don't want to imply that would happen in every market or that we are headed that way in every market," said Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook.
Of course not EVERY market....... but the US seems like a sure thing and soon now. Just hope they can keep up with demand.
A CDMA iPhone would only work on a very little number of networks worldwide, but China and Verizon and Sprint all use different versions of CDMA so there wouldn't be any need for it outside the US (A Verizon iPhone wouldn't work in China and vice-versatile) This is the downfall of CDMA and where GSM really works because it has a standard, and the SIM and roaming system is great.
Germany residents will not care that the iPhone is GSM, as 99.9% of networks in Europe are GSM, and 80% in the world are GSM.
Switzerland had two iPhone carriers from the beginning, and now their third and last carrier has the iPhone 4 since August. You can get it for CHF1- with a two year contract.
In Austria, it still appears the iPhone to be tied to Orange or T-Mobile. T-Mobile includes tethering in it's contracts not sure about Orange though.
Yeah, finally. One thin what I have been anticipating for 3 Months. My colleague bought UK import 4 weeks ago. He is now because of the more than 100 EUR difference.
I bought it yesterday on Wednesday in Apple store. The guys who sold me seemed to be also happy that the can sell it without a contract
Moreover, O2 had really problems with it - more people than they have anticipated were activating Micro-Sim cards (like me). Site for SIM activation was unavailable (though lately they do those "upgrades" in the system often), waiting times to reach any "Berater" through a call was also about 30 minutes. But most likely they just saved on the infrastructure/workers (without this anticipation BS).
Now with the phone without monthly payments, and with the contract where I pay 0,00 EUR if I do not make call when not in Germany and max 40 EUR if I do, and 0,15 Cent per Minute ->
EDIT: Have just checked - O2 still has problems with their site. You can't reach your profile. "Aufgrund der hohen Nachfrage kann es zu Verzögerungen kommen. "
Die sind so bilig. Na ja, ich weiss wofuer ich zahle. Besser so, als viel zu Telekom zahlen, und gleich schlechte Kundenbetreuung haben.