Vodafone confirms UK contract prices for iPhone 4

Vodafone has confirmed its iPhone 4 contract pricing plans, including a 24-month contract at £60 a month that requires an upfront payment of £59.

The details were released in error last week on a test page but quickly withdrawn, and today's announcement more or less matches those prices, although the 16GB handset will cost £219 and the 32GB £309.

Prices for businesses start at £30 per month on a 24-month contract, with the 16GB device costing £101 and the 32GB £186, rising to £60 per month for a free 32GB device plus 3,000 minutes, 250 texts and unlimited Wi-Fi.

The minimum deal on an 18-month contract is £35 a month, rising to £65 a month at the top end.

Customers can also use the iPhone 4 as a modem for an additional £5 for 500MB, £10 for 1.5GB or £15 for 3GB.

No consumer contract offers the 32GB device for free, and even a 24-month contract at £60 a month requires an upfront £59, resulting in an overall £1,449 over the contract.

Pay-as-you-go customers will have to wait until July for pricing details to be announced.

Vodafone chief executive Guy Laurence was in bullish mood, claiming that the firm's network is capable of handling the extra traffic the device will bring.

"We are looking forward to providing customers with the iPhone 4. We know that they are joining us because of our outstanding network as confirmed by the recent YouGov survey. Bring it on," he said,

Three of the major operators, O2, Orange and Vodafone, have now announced pricing for the much anticipated device.