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Could new deal see more networks offer iPhone?
- Posted: 06/05/2008
- Category: Vodafone
Apple's iPhone could be sold through more networks in the future, following a deal involving Vodafone in Italy - it has been suggested.
The Times reports today that the mobile phones are now to be available in the country on the Vodafone network as well as Telecom Italia - the first time that Apple has allowed more than one network to offer the iPhone since in any one country.
According to the newspaper, the move could suggest "Apple's strategy of tying its device to one network in each territory may be unravelling" and that this could affect the manufacturer's current exclusivity deals - such as that held with O2 in the UK.
Will Draper, analyst at Execution, told the publication that he agreed the news was "definitely a sign Apple is capitulating" and that it could also have something to do with the current competition in the market from manufacturers such as Nokia and Sony Ericsson.
"Apple is realising that it should be making the iPhone as widespread as possible," he concluded.
O2 is currently the exclusive network for the iPhone in the UK, in Germany - the first country to see the 8GB iPhone receive a significant price cut recently – the operator is T Mobile.
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