Apple Flying to UK This Week for iPad Carrier Talks

Recent reports say Apple executives are flying into the UK this week to negotiate carrier deals for the iPad, particularly the WiFi+3G model, which uses a microSIM card to offer 3G wireless capabilities. A Times report specifically outlines that, unlike in 2007 when Apple selected O2 as the unique provider of wireless services for its iPhone, this time around, Apple is not expected to choose a single carrier in the UK.

Citing unnamed sources, TimesOnline reports that, “Mobile-phone carriers have already had preliminary discussions about the iPad with Apple but nothing has been decided on price.” It points out that, “Apple commands up to 30% of data revenues from the networks, as well as a share of sales of the 150,000 applications downloaded from its App Store,” comparing the company’s business model with that of other handset makers.

Mentioning an additional factor for Apple’s alleged decision not to tie the iPad to a single carrier in the UK, the Times digs up older claims that iPhone customers use up three times more data than other mobile-phone users, pushing O2’s network to its limits. And while “talks are scheduled to run into next week,” the same sources tell Times, “Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, is not part of the delegation.”

The report includes a forecast from Morgan Stanley, the investment bank, which believes that sales of the iPad will be rather sluggish at first. It predicts sales of six million units, which, although sounds attractive at first, may not be enough for investors who are used to figures like 52.4 million – the number of iPod and iPhone units sold by Apple in the past year, the report suggests.

Softpedia note
We can’t help but wonder what’s the point of this comparison, since the iPad is one device, while the bigger figures refer to more than five different devices bearing similar names, not to mention the inclusion of the iPhone in the mix.