Orange announces UK iPhone deal
The handset has boosted sales for 02Orange has reached an agreement to sell Apple's popular iPhone in the UK.
The deal ends an exclusive arrangement between UK network operate O2 and the Californian phone maker, which has been in place since 2007.
Orange said its customers would be able to buy the phone "later this year" but did not specify a date or pricing.
Orange now offers the popular handset - of which more than 25 million have been sold worldwide - in 28 countries and territories.
"Pricing will be key," said Dave McQueen, principle analyst at Informa Telecoms and Media.
Orange recently revealed plans to merge its UK network with Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile to create a business with 28.4 million customers.
If given the go-ahead, it would be the UK's largest provider, overtaking Telefonica's O2, with about 37% of the mobile market.
O2 have offered the phone in the UK since its launch in 2007. In February, it said it had sold more than one million of the handsets.
The launch of the latest iPhone 3GS in June significantly boosted sales, with many stores running out of stock.
The phone has also allowed the firm to win subscribers from other networks, according to analysts.
O2 will continue to sell the handset in Britain, alongside iPhone rival the Palm Pre.
The Palm phone, described by some as an "iPhone killer", will be available exclusively to O2 from the 16 October.
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Well isn't that interesting?
Hopefully everyone will move to Orange and I'll finally get a reliable 3G connection on my iPhone on O2 again !
Any O2 iPhone owners going to make the jump?
Been holding off getting an iPhone? Will this make you take the plunge ?
