We’ve had rumours. We’ve had speculation. Now, after over a year of waiting, we have our first fact: Vodafone will be launching the iPhone in Australia at some point this year.
Sadly, that’s about all they’ve said. They’ve sent out a press release stating that they’ve signed an agreement with Apple to release the iPhone on Vodafone in 10 countries, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey.
There’s no word about exclusivity, pricing, release date or whether it will be the new 3G version, although speculation is already running rampant that the other major Australian carriers will have the device as well, and that we’ll definitely see the 3G version.
Russell Hewett, CEO of Vodafone Australia, offered this comment to whet our appetite for the inevitable stream of iPhone related news we’re about to get:
“Vodafone Australia is enormously pleased to be included in the agreement to sell the iPhone to our customers later this year.
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.”
The brief press release is in its entirety below:
Matt
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 6:26 PM“Telstra looking good now on the home straight, but getting a little trouble from Optus there; nag that she is …. but hold on! … what’s that!! …. IT’S VODAPHONE STEAMING HOME ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!
zacislost
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 7:07 PMHooray !
… price ?
Wok
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 9:30 PMBleh, who cares what carrier gets it. I’ll use it where I want anyway… 3G is a must though.
feral
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 10:01 PMa suprise.. I suppose its likely then that coverage is going to be shite.
Kevin Nugent
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 10:21 PMThey probably just announced before the others. There was no mention of exclusivity – even from Vodafone – so I’d hazard a guess T & O and maybe even 3 may announce in the next few weeks.
K
Recep
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 11:00 PMAwesome!! I didnt want to switch from Vodafone anyway..
Jason
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 12:40 AMYour seriously asking for a price, on what will clearly be the 3g iphone (on vodafone it would have to be) and therefore on a completely unreleased product anywhere in the world?
We have to see steve holding it in his hot little hand before we get anywhere near an AU price.
hugh
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 12:52 AMwow im on vodafone and was thinking of the switch to telstra if they did the iphone but now i will probably stay on vodafone ( and milk my 8 years of customer loyalty for all its worth) lets just hope the guys at vodafone just put a sign tower up round where i live ( somewhere near the middle of nowhere)
Dav[e]tech
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 9:04 AM3g or bust :D
Jack M
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 1:28 PMI find it interesting that they mention “sell” and “purchase” as opposed to “contract” or “plan”…
craig rubar
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 1:46 PMlove that you spelt whet right. wait: spelt? spelled? spellet? … typed whet right.
o. 3g! not telstra! yay!