MacRumors.com

Both Telecom Italia and Vodafone independently announced that they have signed agreements with Apple to provide the iPhone in Italy. This, of course, clearly indicates that Apple has abandoned the exclusive single-carrier model that they have established in other markets.

Absent from these announcements are any details, but earlier rumors had indicated that this represents the 3G iPhone and that there will be no permanent exclusive distribution by a single operator. Instead, it was said that Telecom Italia may have the right to sell the iPhone for some months in advance of their competitors.

Apple has been widely rumored to release their 3G capable iPhone in the coming months with many expecting an announcement at Apple's Wordwide Developer Conference in June.