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Although the iconic iPhone was initially released to retail around the world tethered to exclusive service contracts, which led to a spate of network-freeing hacks from the online community, it would appear Apple is finally backing away from insisting on restrictive carrier deals.
Orange deal ends O2 exclusivity. Image: Orange.
More pointedly, and marking a clear push for prolonged consumer interest, the longstanding regional iPhone exclusivity deal enjoyed by O2 is set to end following news that rival operator Orange also intends to begin offering Apple’s smartphone in the United Kingdom.
While Orange has not yet issued an official introductory date for the iPhone, the mobile provider has intimated that prospective buyers will be able to purchase the groundbreaking smartphone device before the close of 2009.
“Orange, which has the largest 3G network covering more people in the UK than any other operator, will sell [the] iPhone in all Orange direct channels including Orange shops, the Orange webshop and Orange telesales channels, as well as selected high street partners,” explained Orange in an official statement.
Apple’s carriage arrangement with Orange brings the amount of countries and territories in which the company offers the iPhone to a total of 28, and also ends an O2 exclusivity deal in place since the handset first arrived in the UK back in 2007.
Details regarding price points and specific service plans have not been divulged at this time.
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