Vodafone to offer apple iphone in ten markets

Written by Philip Roy | 06 May 2008
Posted in International

UPDATE Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe.

Later this year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network.

NZ press link and Worldwide press link. Please check the forum discussion also. Tues 10pm - Vodafone have been in touch but are unable to provide any more detail at this time.

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Fastred said: May 06, 2008  

The barest of details... presumably 3G, and given the lack of mention of exclusivity, presumably *not* exclusive... Very interesting....

adriel said: May 06, 2008  

YAY, I can't wait!! and yea I would say it will be the 3G iPhone when it comes out, lets hope so! (and once again nzmac.com gives me a good reason to stay on there site just for these bits of news that you seem to find out pretty darn fast, thank you!

Jens Mueller said: May 07, 2008  

This makes excellent sense. It will be exclusive by virtue of Voda operating the only SIM-based network in NZ. The timing 'later this year' would coincide with 3G availability, so this is all good news. It should increase the number of iPhone users considerably and possibly also bring local hardware service to NZ.

Philip Roy said: May 10, 2008  

When I contacted the PR person at Vodafone NZ, I asked if there was a way to be kept up-to-date with iPhone/Vodafone NZ news. I note that the press page now includes the ability to sign on to a mailing list to be kept informed....so well done Vodafone

MattD said: May 12, 2008  

Will be great as have legitimate market (with hardware service) and will reduce the attraction for parallel importers and need for unofficial iPhone unlocking. Voda bring it on.

Jens Mueller said: May 12, 2008  

That depends. If the contract specifics are as oppressive as the ones with AT&T in the US, where the largest number of "hacked" iPhones exist, the market for illegitimate iPhones will likely soar purely on the basis of Voda's additional marketing muscle which will bring mainstream advertising for the iPhone. If the contract terms are lenient, there would be no need for any directly-imported iPhones anymore. There will likely be no hardware service, as there is none in the US, but purely an exchange service (which already exists in NZ through the warranties most iPhone sellers provide). The big unknowns are whether it will only be the Voda stores that sell iPhones, or also Apple dealers; whether Voda is an exclusive agent or whether there will be competition with Telecom later this year if/when their GSM network is up; and whether Voda will recoup the sharing of calling/data revenues with Apple through a costly or long contract period for new iPhone registrations. I am sure we will find out in good time, but my odds are on a sharp increase of iPhone user numbers in NZ - and that will be good for all of us.

MattD said: May 12, 2008  

More iPhones in peoples hands is a great result no matter how they source it. So long as it is a good experience (including returns)

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