Apple Says the Market Has Room for Multiple iPhone Carriers
October 19, 2009 | Stephane Dion
Apple has shipped their iPhone 3G to 80 countries, and the 3GS to 64 countries, but plans to surpass the popularity of the original 3G by selling the 3GS in over 80 countries.
As such, Apple says that they will be doubling the number of wireless carriers around the globe given exclusive rights to carry the iPhone. In some markets Apple has actually put the iPhone wireless carrier monopoly to rest. In Canada for example, both BCE and Rogers carry the device. The UK has both Orange and Vodafone, where Italy actually has three iPhone carriers: Tim, Vodafone, and H3G.
Of course there is still heavy speculation as to which US carrier(s) may get the green light to carry the iPhone in addition to AT&T but many insist that Verizon’s apparent decision to back Google Android equipped devices may put them out of the running.
Apple says that customers should not expect significant price reductions on the hardware as more carriers compete for business however, stating that they won’t be adjusting the MSRP although the carriers are free to do what they want.
Too bad Verizon isn’t going to get the phone, I was with them for years and they were great. They are killing themselves going after the droid.
The UK currently only has one carrier which is O2, Orange is set to be a carrier sometime this year and Vodaphone will be the 3rd carrier but not until next year.