14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone users in the United Kingdom have now yet another reason to rejoice, as Apple's highly popular iPhone device will soon become available for purchase in the country via more carries. Exclusively sold by O2 UK, the iPhone is expected to reach Orange's airwaves in the near future, at least this is what the carrier announced today.
“Orange UK and Apple have reached an agreement to bring iPhone 3G and 3GS to Orange UK customers later this year. Orange globally now offers iPhone in 28 countries and territories,” is what the UK operator says. Moreover, it already put in place a page where those interested in the iPhone can register to receive updates on the device.
O2, the carrier that has the iPhone exclusively in the country since 2007, has been already rumored to lose the exclusivity deal on the device in the very near future, and it seems that rumors proved real in the end. Although O2 has sold a lot of units since it started offering the iPhone to its users, complaints about poor data network reliability and high prices for tethering and roaming have also emerged. iPhone available on Orange means competition, which should drive improvements in services, Cult of Mac says.
Other carriers in the country, including T-Mobile and Vodafone, already announced plans to offer the iconic device to their subscribers, and it seems that they might soon get the green light too. However, given the already announced merger between T-Mobile and Orange, the availability of iPhone on the latter should imply availability with the former as well.
When it comes to specific details on the pricing of the iPhone on Orange's airwaves, we'll still have to wait for them to emerge. “More information on pricing, tariffs and availability dates will be released in due course,” the carrier states. Users will be able to purchase the phone at “all Orange direct channels, including Orange shops, the Orange webshop and Orange telesales channels,” and can already register here to receive details on the launch date.