Orange & Vodafone announces UK iPhone deal

[xxMATTGxx]

We knew this was going to happen sometime but didn't know who and when. This kinda got posted thi morning over at BBC News but was at college so yeah .

Orange has reached an agreement to sell Apple's popular iPhone in the UK.

The deal ends an exclusive arrangement between UK network operator O2 and the Californian phone maker, which has been in place since 2007.

Orange said its customers would be able to buy the phone "later this year" but did not specify a date or pricing.

However, analysts said that in markets where there was already competition there was little difference in handset prices but small variations in tariffs.

"There's not a lot they can do - they are subsidising the hardware, so they can't afford to do much on the tariff," said Carolina Milanesi of Gartner.

"You may see a £30 per month tariff versus £35, but I would not expect anything more."

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8278073.stm

[GoldenMerc]

ooo, to get a iphone with orange or not, thats pretty good news !

[Alkaz]

Oh cool, alot of orange customers will be pleased

[Recursion]

Was bound to happen, T-Mobile were going to get it this month and now they are merging it makes sense to hand it to Orange, im so hoping this merger goes ahead so I can upgrade to the iPhone next year now that Google have screwed ROM cookers over

[Jahova]

One problem, the prices will still be ridiculous. Bring out £10 a month and then I will buy, buy, buy!

[Markeh]

Now all I need is for Vodafone to get the iPhone. But even then, Vodafone's extortionate prices will stop me getting one.

[hamheyelliot]

Only problem is, Orange have a habit of slapping their ugly little logo on a lot of their handsets. Might just be the real catch

[GommeInc]

Meh, the iPhone just seems like old news to me. They might as well just sell the iPhone across the board of phone companies and have gone with it so that actual smart phones with proper phone functionality from the start can make an entrance :/

[Yoshimitsui]

Good stuff, i can get the new one without swapping to o2 at some point

[Agnostic Bear]

Fantastic, an iPhone with a horrendously slow network and next to no good coverage. Great deal.