iPhone in Australia goes to . . Vodafone
not Telstra or Optus . . . thank goodness.
by XboxOZ360 (thanks Ben)
©2008 Grant Smythe
“`After months of speculation, debate, internet skuttle-butt, the hammer finally dropped today with the announcement that Vodafone Australia will be the carrier for the iPhone in the Australian territories. So finally, all those bricked iPhones sitting around can finally have a local carrier service
Expect a huge lift in sale for Vodafone, and personally, I think Apple has made a wise move choosing Vodafone over the two main competitors here in Australia. I sure as hell didn’t want Telstra grabbing hold of our “Precious”, as once in its grip, it would make life for any iPhone owner pure hell . . Optus on the other hand would have been my second viable choice, and seeing that Vodafone have nabbed the deal, then it ‘might’ be time to start looking at a new mobile carrier for yours truley.
Press Release:
Australia officially welcomes you iPhone, let’s have a barbie shall we.
- Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in Australia.”The iPhone will be the perfect addition to Vodafone Australia’s mobile handset range. The iPhone’s Australian launch is well-timed to coincide with our plans to deliver an enhanced mobile internet and entertainment experience to customers,” said Russell Hewitt, chief executive officer of Vodafone Australia.”The iPhone has already proved to be extremely popular with customers in other parts of the world and Vodafone is confident that today’s announcement will be well received by all Australians who are keen to get their hands on their own iPhone.”
In addition to Australia, Vodafone customers in the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will also be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network
There is no news on what model iPhone will be available when it released, with much anticipation surrounding the rumoured release of a 3G model in June.
Vodafone and Apple also couldn’t confirm whether or not the Vodafone deal was exclusive, amid rumours that the iPhone will be available on multiple networks in Australia. In the US, the iPhone is exclusively locked to the AT&T network.
Filed under: Apple Mac, Hardware News, Press Release Tagged: | "Apple iPhone in Australia", apple iphone, iPhone, iphone in australia, vodafone, vodafone gets iphone
Certainly this news is gr8.I hv heard frm some reliable sources that it will launch on June or by the year 2008.
Can’t wait for this, although if it’s not the 3G model we get downunder then I won’t even bother…
Thanks for the tips Ryan, most appreciated.
Oh, and as for release date – read that site – they’ve almost got it down to the day. June 15th in the US is what MacRumours is saying.
The “word on the street” is that it isn’t an exclusive deal – there have just been two carriers announced for Greece, and it’s most likely the same thing here.
I mean, Apple isn’t stupid enough to lock in solely with Telstra, but they are the only network with the huge 3G infrastructure. Multi-carriers makes sense. Even selling straight from the apple stores?
This site –>http://www.macrumors.com/
is also very good for iPhone/mac info…not saying that this one isn’t great!
there is no confirmation, just tonnes of rumors that its the last week of June, considering production of the current Iphone is slowing, Apple has said there is a big iphone announcment at their conference, and all the leaks and information are coming out.
Oh yeah and the first Iphone came out late june.
Can someone link to the clarification of the release date?
last week of June sutton.
This is most anticipated product in years, any hints to a release date?
Excellent – I think it’s meant to be. I get a call from Vodafone telling me my contract is up and like magic this announcement is made
Bah, this is way too expensive for me, so I’ll just stick with my unlocked Iclone thanks!