iphone Europe

[Yugopro]

It has been announced that AT&T will have marketing rights for the Iphone in the United States. Who will have European rights for the device? Apple is a big company and I am sure that the iphone will be sold in Europe but I have found no information on the Apple website.
Anyone know?

[Kalimotxo]

I don't know if a decision has been made yet... but a quick search on google pulled up several blogs naming DT and Vodafone... So anyone's guess is a good one at this point.

MacNN | Analyst: Vodafone to bring iPhone to Europe
Will T-Mobile Be The One To Carry The iPhone In Europe? - Mobile Blog - InformationWeek

[scotsboyuk]

It will almost certainly be T-Mobile or Vodafone as they are the two biggest networks in Europe. I suppose Telefonica could be in with a shout, but I'd put my money on either T-Mobile or Vodafone (and I'm siding more with Vodafone).

Personally I think Apple may be foolish to give one European network exclusive rights. If the iPhone is going to be sold under the same terms in Europe as it is in America i.e. unsubsidised and requiring a 2 year contract, I think Apple should try to sell it through as many networks as possible. Many Europeans are used to handsets, including high-end handsets, being either free or very cheap. Charging 500-600 euros for a handset that has inferior features to existing handsets that can be gotten free may not go down very well with many customers.

[SteveW]

From today's BBC article about it:

"A release date for Europe and the rest of the world has not been given."



SW

[scotsboyuk]

Originally Posted by SteveW

From today's BBC article about it:

"A release date for Europe and the rest of the world has not been given."



SW

The European release is going to be interesting because Apple are either going to have to upgrade the iPhone's features by that point or see it's sales suffer from more advanced competitors. I believe the European version of the iPhone will support 3G (I'm not sure whether it will be UMTS or HSDPA), but that alone probably isn't enough.

Already there are handsets with better features than the iPhone (although the iPhone's interface does still have the 'wow factor'). However, if Apple aren't planning a European release until later this year or even early next year then I think they are going to have to seriously consider beefing up the iPhone's features.