Earlier we reported the rumor that O2 beat out Vodafone for the right to distribute the iPhone in the UK, now other publications are carrying the story.
The Financial Times also indicates that O2 has prevailed over Vodafone and suggests that the UK iPhone will also be a 2.5G phone like the US model. Ireland’s Silicon Republic suggest that the European iPhone will indeed be a 3G device. Vodafone has an extensive 3G network, but it may be that Apple is using the same strategy in Europe as they did in the US, when they partnered with also-ran AT&T/Cingular. Partnering with a 2nd or 3rd place carrier gives Apple more leverage, and, if the partnership is successful, puts them in a very strong position for dealing with other carriers.
The Times is reporting that O2 has secured an exclusive iPhone deal in the UK. This comes hot on the heels of press reports that T-mobile has sewn up the iPhone in the German market.
O2 Rumored to Beat out Vodafone and Other Rivals for UK iPod Exclusive
The Times newspaper in England is reporting that O2, which is owned by Spain’s Telefónica has sewn up exclusive UK rights to Apple’s iPhone when it is released in Europe later this year. Part of the deal apparently includes a share of ongoing services revenue being passed back to Apple.
This news comes just a few hours after iPhone hackers revealed that the iPhone firmware had references to Vodafone and T-mobile, but not O2, and renewed rumors that Vodafone was going to be Apple’s UK partner.
Frankly, the rumors are flying fast and furious with respect to Apple’s European iPhone plans. I won’t believe any of them until an official announcement is finally made.
The Times newspaper in England is reporting that O2, which is owned by Spain’s Telefónica has sewn up exclusive UK rights to Apple’s iPhone when it is released in Europe later this year. Part of the deal apparently includes a share of ongoing services revenue being passed back to Apple.
If true, this news is a huge blow for Vodafone, who many thought were going to prevail in their determination to land an iPhone deal. It also suggests that this is a rather late breaking deal, since Apple already has Vodafone graphics in the iPhone.
O2 beats rivals in battle for the rights to Apple’s iPhone – Times Online
O2 has beaten its rivals to win the exclusive UK rights to offer Apple’s 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 final contract is expected to be signed imminently.
I guess we shall have to wait and see what really happens.
It sounds like we could be moving closer to a European iPhone announcement in the next few weeks, with the phones shipping in late fall or early winter. What’s intriguing about this is that the phones will almost certainly by 3G, which raises the possibility that 3G-capable could arrive in the US at the same time, either through the grey-market, or through official channels.
Press reports iPhone deal with T-Mobile in Germany at European iPhone News
Articles in the european press suggest the deals with Deutsche Telecom’s T-mobile for German coverage, and there are rumors Vodafone in the UK will be announced soon, with the phones debuting in the late fall or early winter.
The Rheinische Post said T-mobile will be offering the handset in Germany on November 1st for about €450 ($613/£304). Reuters also has the story
The rumors about an iPhone announcement with Vodafone still continue to churn. Though it just seems to be a rehash of the old rumor that the european iPhone would be announced last Monday.
A team of hackers trying to unlock all the secrets of the iPhone discovered a stash of image files on the iPhone that are apparently for supported carriers (Default_CARRIER_TMOBILE.png & Default_CARRIER_VODAFONE.png). In addition to AT&T and Cingular, there are logo images for T-mobile and Vodafone. So, it seems that the iPhone is on it’s way. The question now is when.
via Engadget
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