UK phone operator O2 is said to be close to securing the rights to sell the iPhone in the United Kingdom.
A BBC report states that O2 is set to sign an exclusive contract shortly and should have the iPhone on sale in the UK in time for Christmas.
The iPhone is expected to retail in the UK for around £300. There was no indication as to whether the iPhone sold in the UK would be the same model as sold in the United States, or a 3G model.
Hopefully, they will learn from the activation mistakes of ATT – what a bummer!
Ah well, no iPhone for me. I swore that I would never subscribe to O2 again, after shoddy treatment and weeks worth of hassle trying to claim back money they took from my direct debit after I’d cancelled my account.
Whatever happened to the Vodafone rumor?
This is a bummer…O2’s coverage is patchy and their customer service even patchier. I’ll have to wait until iphone is unlocked/ out for other networks.
It seems to me that all the operators are keen to keep quite on the details of negations.
http://www.tech...cleid=661416082
Seems likely that different networks will have rights in different countries.
Steve
That would be my call as well. I just hope to god there’s an Australian operator on that list
According to this article http://business...icle2028678.ece , Orange is the frontrunner in France.
O2 isn’t the best in Uk, shame Virgin didn’t get in on it in teh Uk
Chris @ http://www.frostfirebuzz.com – New Internet Businesses
O2s 3G coverage is very patchy at best in the UK so I doubt 3G will be available first time round with the iPhone.
http://www.webm...89922034284.GIF
Dark blue = 3G coverage.
In Belgium, it seems Proximus (Belgacom) will be getting it
Comment 7, 10
lots of rumors, still no Australian rumors so I remain desperate
According to Rheinischen Post, the iphone will launch in Germany nov. 1st. Seems like they are making local deals all over Europe. Sounds expensive.
Jools
it may be expensive but compare and contrast to an iPod, and this one takes calls
Duncan, I meant an expensive strategy for apple. I was just complaining that they don’t seemt to sign broader deals with some of the companies that are present in several countries.
I would’ve preferred if Apple would have released the phone / with “Stipulations” (IE must have mandatory Data Plan) but still unlocked.
– rather than – carrier lock – That sucks.
I cant imagine this launching in EU without 3G.
In the US, I understand why they did it – it was a complex business issue with a lot of different angles. In the end, it was an issue about the largest US carrier having the smallest 3G coverage, and the effect the addition of HSDPA would have on the cost, size, and battery life of all iPhones, even though half the users would not have HSDPA.
But in the EU, 3g coverage is ubiquitous, and mobile phone users far more savvy, experienced, and particular.
Also, in EU they arent big qwerty fans like the US. Euros prefer small, stylish, yet functional phones. The iPhone will be a tougher sell over there to begin with.
At last, news about the iphone in the uk!
I have no strong views on the matter and, personally, feel the iphone is over hyped. I still use my gloriously indestructible Nokia 3410.
I’ve had no negative nor positive experiences with O2. T-Mobile would be preferable, in case I ever decided I wanted one.
Ultimately, anybody but the awful Vodafone suits me fine
Dekoh Photos
I have been watching this for the past few days. Until yesterday, everyone thought Vodafone was a lock, perhaps for most/all of europe. However, the earlier rumor/news about T-mobile getting the contract for Germany along with this latest rumor/news about O2 suggests Vodafone, who’se biggest strength was the breadth of their subscriber base across Europe.
It also suggests that Apple’s european carrier strategy is similar to their US carrier strategy of partnering with a second tier provider, which gives them more strength in negotiations to extract things like a share of services revenue.
Updates and more analysis on my blog.
I should have noted as well, both T-mobile and O2 apparently have EDGE networks in Europe, so it’s not clear that the european iPhone will be 3G.
That’s good news for UK users — I think. Asia won’t even see it until next year.
I hope we’ll see the iPhone in Canada.
When will we see this item in Asia?
I agree with the EAS (#22) assessment, Apple’s selection of a European mobile service provider has less to do with network coverage, and more likely about revenue sharing.
Insiders report that Vodafone balked at Apple’s demand for a piece of the monthly service revenue, whereas O2 agreed, and so the negotiations shifted to them.
Makes me wonder what type of deal that AT&T had to agreed to in the U.S. market. BTW, I believe that a staged — market by market — launch in Europe is wise, given the activation delay problems that AT&T encountered with their concurrent same-day launch.
Telco back-office systems aren’t scaled for successful product launches of this magnitude — the iPhone adoption truly unprecedented. AT&T spokesperson said it was the equivalent of more than a month’s typical activations occurring in one single weekend.
I think I’m going to wait until its on the T-Mobile network and it has to be 3G.
I hope Apple don’t sign long-term exclusive deals, anymore than 6-12 months is enough. Alternatively, open it completely when iPhone version 2 comes out.
It will take a lot for me to bin my crackberry
I have just imported an iphone from the USA and i put it on the Tmobile internet contract and it works all of it (except for the awnser phone) its awsumm!
The iPhone’s three built-in sensors: accelerometer, proximity, and ambient light, improve the user experience by doing smart things without the user intervening or even having to think about them -typically Apple
http://www.mp4-...ideo-converter/
Wow it really seems interesting but I will surely want to wait for some more time.
I think the iphone is going to rock!, I’m on orange at the moment and its rubbish for signal so I’m hoping o2 may have a better coverage in the uk.. Anyone know what date its coming to the uk???
I cant WAIT!! looks so HOT hope its going to work as well as my iBook does
just to go back to what dan said at the top. when o2 sell contract phones they are unlocked so u will be able to use it with any network and if its gonna be selling for about £300 then its a bargain!!!