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Vodafone to Begin Selling iPhone in UK and Ireland in Early 2010

Some of the news reports seem to indicate that the reseller model will be different to the current O2 one. I believe that at present O2 give a portion of the revenue to Apple for each iPhone. The new model will not give any revenue to Apple and that O2 has been able to renegotiate its current contract to match those of Vodafone and Orange.

If this is the case how will this affect iPhone O/S updates. Apple provides updates to the O/S free as the iPhone is accounted as a subscription model. Touch owners pay a fee.

I'm not an accountant, but if no revenue is incoming to Apple for the continuing use of the iPhone under the mobile phone operators contract, I would expect that Apple couldn't class the iPhone as a subscription and would then need to charge for Operating System upgrades.

Any thoughts?
 
Kebabselector said:
So a question to the potential new T-Orange/Vodaphone purchasers next year (cos that's when it seems it'll be out).

Are you going to buy a 3GS in January/February when a new iPhone will probably be out in July?
Click to expand...

I've already got a 32 GB 3GS that I bought on PAYG in July. After selling my 16 GB 3G, it cost me just shy of £200 to "upgrade" and didn't extend my contract.

OllyW said:
I'm going onto Simplicity in January, then waiting until June / July for the new iPhone. I'll then pick the best phone and contract deal that suits me from either O2, Orange or Vodafone (or anyone else who wants to join in).
Click to expand...

That's my plan too, but with the possibility of O2 unlocking "out-of-contract" iPhones, I'll be looking at Vodafone's equivalent to simplicity as well.

Considering that none of the networks have an adequate signal inside my flat, my choice of provider next summer will probably depend on who first offers me a femtocell.
 
twoodcc said:
good news. now it seems that it's only a matter of time before the iPhone is on more carriers in the US
Click to expand...

That may depend on competition laws in the US. The exclusive deal in France was ruled illegal under EU competition laws so that affects all EU countries which is probably behind this - Apple moving before they are told to.
 
parish said:
That may depend on competition laws in the US. The exclusive deal in France was ruled illegal under EU competition laws so that affects all EU countries which is probably behind this - Apple moving before they are told to.
Click to expand...

The French law was just that, a French law. It doesn't apply in the UK, there are still loads of other mobile phones tied to networks on exclusive deals in the UK.

The reason it's now going to be available on more networks is because the exclusive contract with O2 is about to finish.
 
parish said:
That may depend on competition laws in the US. The exclusive deal in France was ruled illegal under EU competition laws so that affects all EU countries which is probably behind this - Apple moving before they are told to.
Click to expand...

It was a French regulator ruling that was backed up by a French court --- nothing to do with any EU competition laws.

The French ruling was idiotic to begin with --- there are only 3 national carriers in France, all owned by French companies, zero foreign competitions and the largest carrier in France owns something like 42% of the French mobile telephone market.

If they want better mobile phone service pricing in France --- just give out a fourth mobile license. Simple as that. The French ruling is all talk and zero substance.
 
Vodafone all the way!!!

At last I can get away from O2, I had been with Vodafone for years before iPhone came along, and O2 have given me terrible signal problems throughout the country, with Vodafone it never seemed to be an issue.

Maybe I will be able to use my phone again in my flat!! :)

Can't wait!!
 
ramases said:
I'm not an accountant, but if no revenue is incoming to Apple for the continuing use of the iPhone under the mobile phone operators contract, I would expect that Apple couldn't class the iPhone as a subscription and would then need to charge for Operating System upgrades.
Click to expand...

RIM doesn't charge for Blackberry updates.

WinMo major updates are paid for either by the manufacturer or the carrier. The user isn't charged.

AFAIK, Nokia doesn't charge for updates either.

Wonder how they all account for doing it?
 
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