The carrier is also happy just to be 'associated' with Apple

Jun 16, 2008 07:36 GMT  ·  By

O2 UK has recently provided some information on how it is going to sell Apple's new iPhone. An O2 insider has allegedly disclosed to 9to5mac some pretty cool details about O2's offering, which seems a lot better than AT&T's plans for the device in the US.

The insider claims O2 is creating a Wi-Fi "wireless mesh network" across London and other UK metropolitan areas, in conjunction with BTOpenzone and The Cloud. The coverage is supposed to rival cell phone towers, while iPhone users will allegedly be able to use this network "seamlessly." The source also notes "O2 customers will be able to log into this mesh with their laptops or desktops."

Another benefit of going with O2 is that 3G iPhone will also allow Bluetooth Tethering for laptops. But O2 is playing it safe as well, according to the insider - the company is aware and 99.9 percent certain that "Apple can always change their minds." The mobile network provider will, however, control "everything network-related on the iPhone (APN, etc.)." Even the iPhones purchased from Apple's stores will have O2's settings on them, it is said.

Free iPhone, anyone? Well, as most of you should know by now, a free iPhone isn't exactly free, but rather a pay-as-you-go iPhone, which (obviously) won't be usable with other carriers. O2 will offer even the 10GB iPhone, but only on their largest plan (again, obviously).

The O2 insider also leaked information on the carrier's state of mind after closing down the deal with Apple ahead of fierce competitor Vodafone. "O2 is EXTREMELY happy with the Apple partnership. They settled on giving Apple 15% of their iPhone revenues across the board (for Generation 1) which Vodafone declined," 9to5mac is reporting.

O2 believes that Vodafone is now sitting in a corner, crying and being sorry for having let the deal slip away. The mobile network provider is also very happy to be associated with Apple. According to the source, this will help O2 climb up the ranks not only in the UK, but in the rest of the world as well.