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17 Jul 2009
Orange and T-Mobile will be allowed to sell iPhones in the UK, as Apple ends its exclusive deal with O2 in six weeks' time, according to a new report.
Industry web site Mobile Today reported that the two network operators, which sell the device in other countries, could be given the green light as early as September, when O2's two-year deal comes to an end.
However, as reported yesterday, O2 will be given exclusive rights to sell the faster iPhone 3GS model.
Orange and T-Mobile declined to comment on the story, labelling the news as "rumour". But Mobile Today said that T-Mobile's contact centre staff have already started telling customers that the firm may begin stocking the Apple device.
The practice of device manufacturers offering exclusive deals to network operators has recently come under scrutiny from the US Department of Justice, which has begun an anti-trust investigation into the telecoms industry.
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Do you agree?
Fantastic News
This is the best news I've heard for some time. The sooner Apple can separate itself from O2 exclusivity strangle hold, the better. A pity about the 3GS situation, but I'd intended to wait until next June' 10 anyway once my O2 contract expires in Dec. My only fear is that Orange do have a nasty tendency to take a good product and screw it up with their own inept software. I wonder who will be selling the "4G or 3GSGT" iphone in June'10 as that one will attract a lot of the 3G early adopters who were caught by the O2 18 month contract.
Posted by: Bruce R 19 Jul 2009
As if
I find it highly irritating to that T-mobile would start telling customers about getting the iphone when they can't even release the N97. I've have spoken to approx 10 members of staff who have all provided me with what appeared to be stalling tactics (to stop me going to another network) about the release date of the N97. in fact they probably began this rumour too. 4 weeks after the phone was due to be released i am still waiting.
Posted by: Jo Os 18 Jul 2009