Price War Looms As Vodafone Get iPhone Too
Utility Exchange reported yesterday that Orange had signed a deal with Apple to sell the iPhone as O2’s exclusive right to the smartphone comes to an end. The Times Online today reports that Vodafone signed a deal with Apple late last night and will become the third operator to sell the iPhone.
This news can only be good for consumers as increased competition will hopefully mean lower prices as the operators battle for new customers. The Daily Telegraph suggests that the forthcoming price war could see the iPhone being sold for as much as £100 less than at present. Analysts also suggest that tariffs could come down by £4 to £5 a month too.
However, the price war may not kick in until after Christmas as The Times Online reports that Vodafone will not be allowed to sell the iPhone until early 2010 which will mean they will miss benefitting from the busy Christmas shopping period.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Virgin Mobile is also trying to secure a deal with Apple to sell the iPhone.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/6241786/Vodafone-will-sell-the-iPhone-in-the-UK.html
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article6853402.ece
Also see: http://www.utility-exchange.co.uk/2009/09/orange-gets-the-apple-iphone/