OMEN
05-06-2008, 10:38 AM
THE Apple iPhone will be released in Australia later this year with mobile carrier Vodafone, the company has confirmed.
Vodafone issued a short press release this afternoon stating that it would sell Apple's handset in Australia later this year, as well as in New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, South Africa and Turkey.
A spokesperson for Vodafone Australia confirmed that the carrier will release the iPhone locally in 2008, but could not provide any further information on the model, the price, the release date, or if Vodafone would be the exclusive carrier.
"I can't go into it at the moment," he said.
Russell Hewitt, chief executive officer for Vodafone Australia, released a statement shortly after the announcement.
“Vodafone Australia is enormously pleased to be included in the agreement to sell the iPhone to our customers later this year," he said.
“The iPhone will be the perfect addition to Vodafone Australia’s mobile handset range. The iPhone’s Australian launch is well-timed to coincide with our plans to deliver an enhanced mobile internet and entertainment experience to customers.
“The iPhone has already proved to be extremely popular with customers in other parts of the world and Vodafone is confident that today’s announcement will be well received by all Australians who are keen to get their hands on their own iPhone.”
This is the first official confirmation from a mobile carrier that it will release the iPhone locally.
According to legal experts, it is possible that other carriers could also release the iPhone in Australia. Last week, an anonymous industry source told technology website CNET.com.au that mobile carrier Optus would launch the iPhone in Australia.
A spokesperson for Optus said the company had no comment today.
Telstra principal analyst Warren Chaisatien told The Courier-Mail that Vodafone's announcement demonstrated the iPhone would likely be sold by a number of phone companies in Australia, rather than through just one as in the US and some other countries.
News AU
Vodafone issued a short press release this afternoon stating that it would sell Apple's handset in Australia later this year, as well as in New Zealand, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, South Africa and Turkey.
A spokesperson for Vodafone Australia confirmed that the carrier will release the iPhone locally in 2008, but could not provide any further information on the model, the price, the release date, or if Vodafone would be the exclusive carrier.
"I can't go into it at the moment," he said.
Russell Hewitt, chief executive officer for Vodafone Australia, released a statement shortly after the announcement.
“Vodafone Australia is enormously pleased to be included in the agreement to sell the iPhone to our customers later this year," he said.
“The iPhone will be the perfect addition to Vodafone Australia’s mobile handset range. The iPhone’s Australian launch is well-timed to coincide with our plans to deliver an enhanced mobile internet and entertainment experience to customers.
“The iPhone has already proved to be extremely popular with customers in other parts of the world and Vodafone is confident that today’s announcement will be well received by all Australians who are keen to get their hands on their own iPhone.”
This is the first official confirmation from a mobile carrier that it will release the iPhone locally.
According to legal experts, it is possible that other carriers could also release the iPhone in Australia. Last week, an anonymous industry source told technology website CNET.com.au that mobile carrier Optus would launch the iPhone in Australia.
A spokesperson for Optus said the company had no comment today.
Telstra principal analyst Warren Chaisatien told The Courier-Mail that Vodafone's announcement demonstrated the iPhone would likely be sold by a number of phone companies in Australia, rather than through just one as in the US and some other countries.
News AU