iPhone 3G & 3GS Hit Vodafone UK In 2010

Author Gordon Kelly
Published 29th Sep 2009
iPhone 3G & 3GS Hit Vodafone UK In 2010
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Now this is more like it...

Following yesterday's news that you will soon be able to get the iPhone on Orange, Vodafone has today also crashed O2's once exclusive party with news of its own deal.

Again favouring the unbelievably short press release, the network proclaimed: "Vodafone and Apple today confirmed that they have reached agreement to bring iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS to the UK and Ireland in early 2010. Beginning today, Vodafone UK and Vodafone Ireland customers can register their interest in iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS at www.vodafone.co.uk/iphone and www.vodafone.ie/iphone respectively. Pricing, tariffs and availability information will be announced locally in the future. Vodafone now offers iPhone through thirteen of its operating companies."


As the announcement states, having an iPhone deal is nothing new for Vodafone (in June last year it simultaneously secured iPhone contracts in 10 countries), but nabbing an agreement in the UK remains a big deal. Perhaps more importantly, prospective UK iPhone owners will now have a) more choice when purchasing a handset, and b) hopefully more competition in terms of pricing.

This leaves T-Mobile and 3 as the only major networks not to offer the handset, though the Orange, T-Mobile merger may see the former gather it by proxy. By contrast, whether 3 will be able to negotiate terms with Apple seems more open to question given its (laudable) commitment to free VoIP.

What does seem clear however is Palm Pre or not, O2 looks set for a desertion of disgruntled iPhone customers when their contracts expire. 3G coverage problems, data network failings and controversially high iPhone 3GS tariffs have seen it lose much goodwill over the last year.

That said, I do wonder if Apple will continue its new found liberalism when it comes to assigning a network(s) when it chooses to announcing its fourth generation model sometime in Q3 2010...

Link:
Vodafone UK iPhone Pre-order Page
Vodafone IE iPhone Pre-order Page

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comment Gordon said on 29th September 2009

@JJones - Sounds extremely unlikely, but we've left a message a contact at the Vodafone press office.

comment Greg said on 29th September 2009

I'm typing this from my 3GS now. Full signal bars on 3g, but snail speeds. The O2 network is creaking under the strain.

If I hadn't got the benefit of their corporat... more

comment Orinj said on 29th September 2009

@JJones, that's not quite right. Vodafone will be giving priority for sales of the iPhone to existing customers but new customers will still be able to get one... eventually.

comment Simon said on 30th September 2009

@Tony Walker "Ha! That'll teach O2 for not treating us 3G customers right in July." Why should they? You entered a contract for 18 months. NO other phone user gets a &quo... more

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