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iPhone European Networks

I posted this to another thread a couple of days ago:

It really isn't possible to be just one operator. Orange (under it's own brand) for example doesn't operate in countries like Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Slovenia... And the list is just as long for Vodafone.

So it's really not possible to do in Europe.
 
- Orange and Vodafone overly brand their phones. They re-package them, put them in new housings (even go as far as to replace the housing totally for a design of their own like with some Nokias), remove all generic firmware and install their own, disable some bluetooth and wi-fi capabilities, limit its features as far as Multimedia storage and playback goes.

- Apple are big on design, there isn't a chance in hell they will let Orange or Vodafone customise the packaging, hardware or software with their own colours, controls, applications.

- T-Mobile and O2 are the only networks which currently do not brand or overly brand phones - they leave 95% ''vanilla''.


Unless Orange or Voda agree to not brand anything, they won't be chosen as the iPhone's exclusive provider. Who knows, Apple may see the phone would sell better if it were unlocked, by the time it reaches here thats how it may be sold.
 
I think we will see a Europe model with 3G. In Denmark only the third largest mobile network use EDGE (Telia) and it is considerably smaller than the other two (TDC Mobil, Sonofon).

Further more you can only lock a phone to one network in 6 months after that the company who sold you the phone is required by law to provide a unlock code.
 
T-Mobile have some fantastic data plans. 3 too with the X series. Im hoping it comes on T Mobile for that reason, OR the other networks follow suit and stop charging the quite attrocious price of £2 a MB.

Displaced, you seem to know your stuff. Would making the phone 3G alter the form factor much? i.e., I presume it will make it thicker?

Battery life isnt too much of a concern for me so long as the phone is adequate. I have a Dock at work so have no problem charging it at any time of the day.
 
ehurtley said:
I wonder... If they went with T-Mobile in Europe, while the US was still locked with Cingular, could I get a European T-Mobile iPhone and use it in the US on US T-Mobile service, or would it try to roam to Cingular?
Click to expand...

Your phone would associate with whatever network your SIM card preferred - presumably, T-mobile.

I'm personally waiting for the EU release of the iPhone, since that's where it's likely to be available unlocked. I'm already a Cingular subscriber, but would never pay $3000 for a locked phone and 2 years of service.

I'll just keep my $20/mo unlimited data plan and pay the premium to import an unlocked phone from the EU. (That is, assuming the iPhone doesn't have other deal-breakers like no ichat and no 3rd-party apps - not looking too good on this front, but that's a rant for another day...)
 
Uk

It does seem that it would be more difficult to tie the iPhone to one operator as competition is very high in the UK as well as the rest of Europe. Apple does have nearly a year to develop a 3G 'phone, so I don't know if EDGE is the main concern. I don't know who is the biggest network in the UK is, but I doubt there is much of a difference between Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile & O2. It would seem that if there is an exclusive with one network, it won't be as long as 2 years. I have a feeling it will be available to several networks or even sell the 'phone unlocked (which would be best).

Maybe the deal-breaker would be how stubborn networks like Orange and Vodafone are going to be. If they insist on disabling certain features or changing certain functions, I doubt Apple with go with them at all. Apple might not even release the iPhone at all until their criteria has been met. If anything, this would be better for all 'phone makers out there like Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, etc who all have to put up with the networks changing the functions of their 'phones.
 
Although I'm based in Europe (Denmark), the following question applies to the US as well (I think).

All of this tying to operator is one thing for individuals (although I have a hard time seeing how Apple can avoid selling an unlocked phone in Denmark), but what about businesses?

We'd love to have the iPhone, but our company has contracted to one operator for data, voice, analog etc. What will the deal be for businesses?
 
210 said:
Maybe the deal-breaker would be how stubborn networks like Orange and Vodafone are going to be. If they insist on disabling certain features or changing certain functions, I doubt Apple with go with them at all. Apple might not even release the iPhone at all until their criteria has been met. If anything, this would be better for all 'phone makers out there like Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, etc who all have to put up with the networks changing the functions of their 'phones.
Click to expand...

If the iPhone takes off in the US (which is by no means guaranteed), I think the network providers here will be falling over each other to get an exclusive contract, so I don't think they'll play hardball with Apple over having stickers on the phone itself or disabling features.

They've invested a lot of money into 3G networks and by all accounts the take-up from customers has been very poor. A device like the iPhone (assuming it comes with a reasonable data pay plan) could really kickstart mainstream adoption of data services.
 
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