UK mobile operator Orange has confirmed it’s to sell Apple’s iPhone 3G and 3Gs models later this year.
The announcement follows a report in today’s Times that the carrier was “expected to announce a deal with Apple this week” with Apple looking to expand sales of the trend-setting smartphone.
O2, which will offer the Palm Pre from this month, has enjoyed strong sales as the exclusive UK network for the iPhone.
That deal has now come to an end with many customers likely to be hoping for cheaper deals given many UK households are experiencing financial hardship. A rival network willing to undercut O2’s tariffs, for example by offering free tethering, could enjoy great success with the handset.
Orange says launch dates and tariffs will be released “in due course”. The handset will be available via Orange shops, the Orange webshop and Orange telesales as well as selected high street partners.
A pre-registration site for customers to log their interest has been launched at www.Orange.co.uk/iPhone