iPhonefreak width="190"

Based on “sources familiar with new deals” Apple is expecting to sell 3.5 million iPhones in Russia over the next two years. This total will come from what they are referring to as the “big three” carriers, which so far we have heard that Mobile TeleSystems will begin their sales in October, they have also announced their target was to sell 1 million in a two-year period.

Vimpelcom and MegaFon are the other two carriers, one of which has just signed an agreement, and the third is expected to come sometime next week. However neither were able to offer any information as to when they plan to begin offering the iPhone.

Once these carriers begin their sales, that will mark the first time the iPhone was officially available for sale in Russia. Of course that has not stopped Russian iPhone fans from getting their hands on one in the past. As of current some estimates report that there are up to 600,000 iPhones already in Russia, of which most users paid over $1,000. The big three carriers are all expected to sell the iPhone 3G for 24,000 roubles, which is around $990 US. Its nice to see that the carriers will be offering the iPhone 3G for lower than the grey-market pricing, but at almost $1,000 its still very much a luxury item.

[Washington Post]