Apple picks O2 for UK, T-Mobile for Germany?
Yeah, that's apparently what's going down -- the iPhone will be over the Atlantic "in time for Christmas," according to The Times. That is, assuming they can quickly localise its dialogue for easy manoeuvring in the UK market, aye guv'na? Oh, and Apple still has to sign the paperwork, too, so it isn't necessarily over.P.S. -Naw, doesn't necessarily mean Vodafone is out -- remember, they're so freaking all over the place Apple might just get Vodafone distro somewhere else in the world.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Update: The piece also notes that Orange is the front-runner in France. As a reminder, German paper Rheinische Post reported that T-Mobile's locked down the iPhone for Deutsche release. Apparently it'll land for €450 (about $612) on November 1st. More as it develops. Congratulations, Europe, now you too can experience absolutely insane consumer hysteria that is an iPhone launch! Thanks, Chinman.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phoenix @ Jul 5th 2007 1:54AM
They wont get the iphone hype running in the EU like it was in the states. Germans wont pay 450 for a phone and a 35-50 fee for the iphone.
It just wont work this way. Sorry Apple. Get your price down 50% to 250 for the 8GB version and you`ll rule the market.
Jason Scott @ Jul 5th 2007 3:20AM
Sign the online petition for 3G/EDGE in the UK. Let Apple know that a GPRS iPhone is not acceptable!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iPhoneUK/index.html
Spyke @ Jul 5th 2007 3:45AM
Errr... wait. You've created a petition so that a company the size of Apple doesn't make a huge commercial mistake? A petition? Do you not think they just *might* have some professional marketing guys in the UK? I'll answer that for you: yes, they do. I know one of them - he came from a mobile phone industry background.
They're clearly aiming for the Blackberry market. That's never really taken off in the UK because Java games and MMS are HUGE. The iPhone supports neither at time of writing - and *that's* what is going to wreck it's commercial chances, not which rip-off data technology it happens to use.
Jason Scott @ Jul 5th 2007 4:12AM
If they're aiming at the Blackberry market then they don't stand a chance. There is no way that an iPhone will become a business product of choice.
If Apple release this in the UK with just GPRS then it will be a huge mistake and their marketing guys all need firing. The phone market has moved on from GPRS and putting a product out there that doesn't support EDGE or 3G is a slap in the face to the buying publics intellect.
...b... @ Jul 5th 2007 4:28AM
The iPhone does indeed support EDGE. AT&T's nationwide network is an EDGE network... but Apple know's better and will probably release an updated phone with 3G for a EU release because that is the prevalent network structure in Europe, whereas AT&T's 3G network is available primarily in large metropolitan regions, and is shoddy at best.
Tony Reilly @ Jul 5th 2007 4:56AM
OK... regarding the networks choosen, this latest piece about O2 for the UK and T-Mobile for Germany... well, that just makes no sense!! the main reason being that O2 are only in 4 Countries (Ireland, UK, Isle of Man and Germany). why would the go with such a small provider and cut out it's main market.
We have 4 Mobile networks here in Ireland (Voda, O2, Meteor and 3(Three)), and the only one that's worth it's salt is Voda (with Meteor in second). If Apple choose O2 for the UK they will be severely limiting their Market, as i don't know anyone who would wish to go onto that network for the sake of a phone!
Gwydion @ Jul 5th 2007 11:03AM
O2 is owned by Movistar (Telefonica) who owns 10% of Telecom Italia
dropjes @ Jul 5th 2007 8:48AM
It will never turn into such a frenzy as over here. Americans are conditioned from the cradle to respond to marketing - which they've dutifully done.
Sure Europeans are going to want their gadgets, but they are used to 3G and ritzier, heavily subsidized phones.
As for Apple's choices of partners: they'll prefer to deal with whoever is willing to roll over like ATT, not necessarily who's biggest or best.
manni @ Jul 5th 2007 9:54AM
Hysteria? A recent survey says 0.7% of a representative group are interested in buying an iPhone in germany. Without 3G it will be a complete no-go IMO.