Both Telecom Italia and Vodafone to Offer iPhone in Italy

[bruk201ib]

News reported on Macitynet (http://macitynet.it/macity/aA32221/u...italia_c.shtml) shows that TIM and Vodafone will be the official carriers of the iPhone in Italy.

TIM (http://www.telecomitalia.itnull/ep/c...Type=EDITORIAL) and Vodafone (http://www.areaprivati.190.it/190/tr...key=pri_iphone) officially announced today that they will be offering the iPhone in Italy. Vodafone added in their press release that they will be offering the Apple's phone also in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey. (http://www.vodafone.com/start/media_...to_offer0.html)

No more details have been released about release date, tariffs or iPhone model; but the fact that Vodafone doesn't have an EDGE network in Italy, is almost certain it will be the 3G version.

Some details can be assumed from Vodafone's press release, where it states that with the purchase of the phone the user will be "linked" to their networks, therefore the iPhone will be locked.

This probably means that the iPhones sold by TIM and Vodafone will be locked to their networks.

According to the rumors over the net, Apple will sell an unlocked version of the phone. The difference between the phones will be in the price, discounted for TIM and Vodafone, full price if purchased from Apple.

The question now is the price for the device. It could be one model for €499 and another for €399, but it could be also anothe model for €599. Would these be the full prices or the operator discounted prices?... we just have to wait and see.

[MacRumors]

Both Telecom Italia and Vodafone independently announced that they have signed agreements with Apple to provide the iPhone in Italy. This, of course, clearly indicates that Apple has abandoned the exclusive single-carrier model that they have established in other markets.

Absent from these announcements are any details, but earlier rumors had indicated that this represents the 3G iPhone and that there will be no permanent exclusive distribution by a single operator. Instead, it was said that Telecom Italia may have the right to sell the iPhone for some months in advance of their competitors.

Apple has been widely rumored to release their 3G capable iPhone in the coming months with many expecting an announcement at Apple's Wordwide Developer Conference in June.

Article Link

[paddy]

More competition isnt a bad thing!

[Lito]

So: implicit acceptance that the single carrier exclusivity deals, while useful in launching a new & game- changing product into the real world, are not for long term pursuance.

Actually a bust business wise & a source of customer frustration & impediment.

Will the existing deals be persisted with? Or does Apple have an exit strategy?

[MTrebbin]

crack the monopoly!

[l0ne]

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

[hashkey]

Originally Posted by l0ne

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

Presumably we're talking about a 3G iPhone. Hopefully we're talking about a 3G iPhone..

[sananda]

Originally Posted by l0ne

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

o2 in the uk didn't either.

[cameronjpu]

Originally Posted by l0ne

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

Wait... so that means there may be a 3G iPhone! Stop the presses!

[frank781]

Originally Posted by l0ne

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

A 2 tiered system?!

It could happen if only Apple decides to sell the 1st Gen iPhone at a lower price (Maybe 100 Euros)

Just a thought

[ikir]

Originally Posted by l0ne

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

Indeed TIM is a better choice, when you don't find a 3G network, EDGE is ok.

All depens on plan's prices.

[GregA]

Originally Posted by l0ne

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

I think we're right in assuming 3G. But this is not the evidence.

My brother uses his jailbroken iPhone in Australia on Vodafone now.
Like Italy, vodafone don't have EDGE in Australia (just GPRS).

(he does complain it's slow).

Originally Posted by IscariotJ

I'm hoping that the exclusive agreement only covered the initial iPhone release. There are enough carriers in the UK to provide some competition....

I suspect that Vodafone NOT announcing sales in all the countries that currently have exclusive deals, even when Vodafone has a network in several, tells us that for now those countries keep their exclusive deals.

Originally Posted by Dimwhit

Not only that, but didn't Apple and AT&T sign a 5-year exclusivity deal? Maybe it wasn't that long, but I thought it was. If so, there's no changing here anytime soon.

They signed an exclusive deal. Originally, most journalists speculated it was 5 years and some said it was a fact. Now, many journalists speculate it is for 2 years, and some say it is a fact.

We don't know.

[hashkey]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

This, of course, clearly indicates that Apple has abandoned the exclusive single-carrier model that they have established in other markets.

It does indicate that Apple strategy will vary in territories where there is little or no post-pay market to speak of- Italy being one of those territories- but it shouldn't lead anyone to think that they'll necessarily do the same in other markets.

[MattJessop]

Sounds like good news to me. Although there might be different market strategies for different markets as mentioned above, even this alone makes it better for the consumer. Like the iPhone in France was unlocked, but expensive because there was no real competition to here. Now at least there can be competition; which may even bring more users into the Apple brand.

[avigalante]

Originally Posted by MattJessop

Sounds like good news to me. Although there might be different market strategies for different markets as mentioned above, even this alone makes it better for the consumer. Like the iPhone in France was unlocked, but expensive because there was no real competition to here. Now at least there can be competition; which may even bring more users into the Apple brand.

I think that's the correct sentiment.

Given the lackluster performance thus far in the EU, it makes sense that Apple may want to reach as many people as possible by launching the iPhone on multiple carriers.

That said, I don't expect this business model to hit the US anytime soon.

[IscariotJ]

I'm hoping that the exclusive agreement only covered the initial iPhone release. There are enough carriers in the UK to provide some competition....

Being able to buy an unlocked iPhone would be ideal, especially considering some of the recent reports regarding O2/CPW....

[phatspider]

it'll be 3g - vf wouldnt take it in 10 countries if it wasnt

see : http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/ne...G-iPhone.phtml

specifically :

Sarin stated: "It's clearly a good, software-driven device, but we're concerned about wideband area coverage so that 3G or HSDPA connectivity with the iPhone is something that we look forward to".

[twoodcc]

well, i doubt this will mean that at&t won't be the carrier here in the US. but maybe that will change later.

here's hoping that the 3G iPhone will come at wwdc

[ikir]

Finalmente!

I hope to see a good "flat" for internet from them. Internet plan prices in Italy sucks.

[macnoobblog]

My friend discovered a hidden menu on his iPhone last Sunday and he had me put all the info on my blog: http://www.macnoob.blogspot.com

Link to pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scrappa...7604898007713/

Link to video:
http://www.vimeo.com/977685