France Telecom's Orange UK To Sell iPhone
September 28 2009 - 4:28AM
Dow Jones News
France Telecom SA's (FTE) Orange mobile business said Monday
that it has reached an agreement to sell Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone
in the U.K. later this year, bringing to an end a two year
exclusive contract held by rival Telefonica SA's (TEF) O2 mobile
network.
Although an exact date for the launch was not released, a Orange
spokesman said the iPhone would be available on its network by
Christmas.
The network will sell both the original iPhone 3G model and the
latest iPhone 3GS version, which was launched in June with faster
connectivity and added features.
No details of Orange's pricing or tariffs were released. O2
currently offers the highest specification iPhone 3GS on a sliding
scale from GBP274 for the lowest tariff on an 18-month contract, or
free on a 24-month contract with the highest tariff.
O2's exclusive contract with Apple has helped the company to
boost sales and extend its lead as the largest U.K. mobile network
in the U.K. despite the recession.
The current second-largest operator in the U.K., Vodafone Group
PLC (VOD), has previously expressed interest in stocking the
iPhone.
-By Kathy Sandler, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-207-842-9293;
kathy.sandler@dowjones.com