James Delahunty
1 Oct 2009 1:36
Vodafone has inked a deal to offer Apple Inc.'s iPhone in the United Kingdom and Ireland early next year, the company has announced. The deal comes after a previous announcement by Orange in the UK, following the loss of iPhone exclusivity by mobile carrier o2. "Vodafone and Apple today confirmed that they have reached agreement to bring iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS to the UK and Ireland in early 2010," a Vodafone statement reads.
"Beginning today, Vodafone UK and Vodafone Ireland customers can register their interest in iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS at www.vodafone.co.uk/iphone and www.vodafone.ie/iphone respectively." Vodafone will offer the iPhone in the region as a defensive move against subscriber defections, as providers such as O2 and Meteor entice users with bundle deals.
Bringing the phone to the market in early 2010 will miss the all-important holiday season. Orange expects to start offering the handset in the UK to customers before Christmas time.