Both Telecom Italia and Vodafone to Offer iPhone in Italy

News reported on Macitynet (http://macitynet.it/macity/aA32221/ufficiale_iphone_italia_c.shtml) shows that TIM and Vodafone will be the official carriers of the iPhone in Italy.

TIM (http://www.telecomitalia.itnull/ep/contentView.do?tabId=6&pageTypeId=-8663&LANG=en&channelId=-9793&programId=9596&programPage=/ep/TImedia/TICSList.jsp?fonte=Telecom+Italia&contentId=32030&contentType=EDITORIAL) and Vodafone (http://www.areaprivati.190.it/190/trilogy/jsp/programView.do?contentKey=35553&pageTypeId=9607&channelId=-8665&programId=10066&tk=9616%2Cc&ty_key=pri_iphone) officially announced today that they will be offering the iPhone in Italy. Vodafone added in their press release that they will be offering the Apple's phone also in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey. (http://www.vodafone.com/start/media_relations/news/group_press_releases/2007/vodafone_to_offer0.html)

No more details have been released about release date, tariffs or iPhone model; but the fact that Vodafone doesn't have an EDGE network in Italy, is almost certain it will be the 3G version.

Some details can be assumed from Vodafone's press release, where it states that with the purchase of the phone the user will be "linked" to their networks, therefore the iPhone will be locked.

This probably means that the iPhones sold by TIM and Vodafone will be locked to their networks.

According to the rumors over the net, Apple will sell an unlocked version of the phone. The difference between the phones will be in the price, discounted for TIM and Vodafone, full price if purchased from Apple.

The question now is the price for the device. It could be one model for €499 and another for €399, but it could be also anothe model for €599. Would these be the full prices or the operator discounted prices?... we just have to wait and see.

More competition isnt a bad thing!

This, of course, clearly indicates that Apple has abandoned the exclusive single-carrier model that they have established in other markets.

It does indicate that Apple strategy will vary in territories where there is little or no post-pay market to speak of- Italy being one of those territories- but it shouldn't lead anyone to think that they'll necessarily do the same in other markets.

Sounds like good news to me. Although there might be different market strategies for different markets as mentioned above, even this alone makes it better for the consumer. Like the iPhone in France was unlocked, but expensive because there was no real competition to here. Now at least there can be competition; which may even bring more users into the Apple brand.

So: implicit acceptance that the single carrier exclusivity deals, while useful in launching a new & game- changing product into the real world, are not for long term pursuance.

Actually a bust business wise & a source of customer frustration & impediment.

Will the existing deals be persisted with? Or does Apple have an exit strategy?

crack the monopoly!

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

Sounds like good news to me. Although there might be different market strategies for different markets as mentioned above, even this alone makes it better for the consumer. Like the iPhone in France was unlocked, but expensive because there was no real competition to here. Now at least there can be competition; which may even bring more users into the Apple brand.

I think that's the correct sentiment.

Given the lackluster performance thus far in the EU, it makes sense that Apple may want to reach as many people as possible by launching the iPhone on multiple carriers.

That said, I don't expect this business model to hit the US anytime soon.

I'm hoping that the exclusive agreement only covered the initial iPhone release. There are enough carriers in the UK to provide some competition....

Being able to buy an unlocked iPhone would be ideal, especially considering some of the recent reports regarding O2/CPW....

Important detail: Vodafone does not offer an EDGE network in Italy. (Telecom does.)

Presumably we're talking about a 3G iPhone. Hopefully we're talking about a 3G iPhone..