iPhone exclusivity to stay in some markets

Stephen Withers
Friday, 23 May 2008 03:23

Your IT - Mobility

Much of the chatter about the anticipated 3G iPhone has revolved around the carriers that will or won't be selling it. Although various countries will see a choice of carriers, some of Apple's existing partners will maintain their exclusive deal.

We already know, for example, that both Optus and Vodafone will be selling the iPhone in Australia.

On the other hand, it has been reported that AT&T's deal with Apple gives it exclusivity in the US market for five years.

This week, two European carriers have revealed that they will retain exclusive access to the iPhone in their home countries.

On Tuesday, T-Mobile CEO Hamid Akhavan said his company will continue to be the exclusive iPhone supplier in Germany, and on Thursday France Telecom CFO Gervais Pellissier made a similar announcement.

However, T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telecom is losing the iPhone monopoly in Austria as France Telecom's Orange will be entering that market.

Exclusivity is a moot point given the success that's been achieved in unlocking the original iPhone. If that's matched with the 3G model, customers will be able to separate their decision about which handset to buy and which carrier to use.