In US about 700000 iPhones are already sold through Apple’s and AT&T’s stores. The next target is Europe. Apple plans to enter UK, France, Germany by Christmas and elsewhere including Spain during next year.
AT&T is Apple’s exclusive service provider in US, now Apple is looking for partners in Europe. Most popular mobile service providers here are T-Mobile owned by Deutsche Telekom, Orange owned by France Telecom, O2 owned by Telefonica, Spain.
iPhone’s price in US is $499 and $599, in UK its price is supposed to be £399, in Germany €450 (£300).
iPhone does not use the latest 3G mobile technology, it uses Edge technology. And this is a plus for service providers.
3G mobile technology requires lots of expenses to upgrade an existing network and adjust it to the new standard. But Edge technology is not that expensive. It is kind of a software upgrade and doesn’t need too much effort. Service providers will also need train employees to work with new standard.
Orange already supports Edge technology, and O2 is going to make the upgrade by Christmas.
Apple has not yet officially signed agreement with any of the mobile service providers yet, but the providers are willing to represent iPhone exclusively. HULIQ
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