British publication, Mobile Today, are reporting that Apple is poised to break O2's exclusive agreement for the iPhone 3G in 6 weeks time.Apple will reportedly open the iPhone 3G to Orange and T-Mobile in a bid to boost sales. According to Mobile Today's sources the exclusivity will end as early as September, breaking Apple's two year exclusive deal with O2. However, Apple will continue to offer exclusivity to O2 for its' new iPhone 3GS device.
Orange and T-Mobile both sell the iPhone in other countries and are keen to offer the device in the UK. Mobile Today claims that sources said "O2 has been furious with the news and is concerned potential rivals will undercut its prices on the older model."
If the report is accurate then this could end O2's monopoly on the iPhone device and force prices down for the older 3G models and associated contracts. It's a good move for competition and consumers.
Update: O2 has supplied a short statement to Neowin (via Twitter) regarding this news stating "we have a multiyear exclusive with Apple - I'd suggest speaking to them about this." An Apple spokesperson declined to comment, claiming "Apple doesn't comment on rumour or speculation."
Image credit: iPhone buzz
Until there are HSDPA 3G chips that support all of these bands: 850/900/1700/1900/2100Mhz, then you aren't going to get a universal "world" 3G phone (the lack of 1700Mhz is what makes 3G on the iPhone incompatible with T-Mobile).
Are you kidding me, this does not apply to Apple. They just want to sell more iPhone's. Do not expect a price drop on any iPhone until just before a new generation comes out or your buy a refurbished iPhone.
Who was talking about the iPhone hardware pricing? I was talking about the pricing for the plan and the data and all that good stuff that they overcharge just for this phone. Stupid AT&T.
And Apple VS. o2? We all know who'd win, regardless. They're not silly anyway, I don't think there's foul play.
O2 is owned by Telefonica, the 3rd largest telecoms company in the world - so don't be too sure on an Apple win!
unlocked 3gs here we come
unlocked 3gs here we come
the 3GS will still be O2 exclusive
I'll switch back to Orange once my contract expires as I hate O2 with a passion.
Maybe this will increase sales so much that Apple finally realise that limiting their products to a single carrier actually HURTS their sales, even if you take into account the money single carrier gives them.
I cant stand the way the big mobile giants have shafted us over the years, bring on the competition!!!
Even when out of contract there hideous!
iPhone what £600 sim free, N97 £500 sim free, and the N97 can be found for free on £40 per month (18mth contract.) On O2 iphone 3Gs is free on £44 (24month contract) Rip Off Britain!
Personally I think it's quite anti consumer, anti competitive and bordering on building a monopoly
I would like an iPhone, but I don't want to have to shell out loads for the extra apps, then using them, then connecting to the "internet" blah blah blah, I like a fixed rate and everything unlimited, like my current contract . . with Vodafone
, then connecting to the "internet" blah blah blah,
Out of entire curiosity, why "internet"?
Mobile internet access is growing at an exponential rate, and in some circumstances surpasses regular kb/mouse/pc/mac access
Personally i really enjoy being connected "everywhere" (quotation marks clarification: i'm aware you cannot connect literally everywhere)
not to mention spain. apple's biggest mistake was to team up with the biggest thieves of europe
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