After being restricted to the US market for so long prior to its eventual expansion into Europe, it would appear that Apple is suddenly rather keen for the whole world to embrace the iconic iPhone handset.
Apple iPhone heads south into Latin America. Image: Apple/America Movil.
Moreover, in the same week that Canada, Australia and Italy have all been confirmed as being set to receive the iPhone in the coming months, Latin America’s leading mobile phone operator, America Movil SAB, has said that the touch-screen iPhone is also heading south from its original North American launch point.
“We’re excited to be working with America Movil to bring the iPhone to Latin America later this year, and we can’t wait to get this revolutionary phone in the hands of even more people around the world,” commented Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris on the deal.
According to Mexico City-based America Movil SAB, the carrier plans to introduce Apple’s iPhone across all of its Latin American operation, which includes the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia and Mexico.
However, although openly trumpeting its significant iPhone deal, Amercia Movil SAB has not yet disclosed whether or not it will be the exclusive iPhone operator throughout those regions.
Before this week, regional exclusivity would be all-but a given in any emergent iPhone deal, with AT&T carrying the smartphone in the US, O2 carrying it in the UK, T-Mobile in Germany, and Orange in France.
Yet, the mould of exclusivity was broken yesterday when it was revealed that Apple has struck a deal to bring the iPhone to Italy, with European giant Vodafone Group PLC and Telecom Italia SpA both set to carry the product through to retail.
Since its official launch in June of 2007, Apple has managed to sell approximately 5.5 million iPhones around the world. The California-based computer and gadget specialist aims to complete 10 million sales by the close of 2008.
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