Will the iPhone ever come out on other networks other then O2?

Question

Will the iPhone ever come out on other networks other then O2?

Answer 1

Not in the UK.

Apple has an exclusive deal with O2 and that means it will never legally become available on other networks.  Other phone companies have these deals for specific models but as apple are at the minute a 1 model range it sounds more restrictive than it really is.

in Eire (Southern Ireland) it's O2-Eire

in UK its O2-UK

in Germany its Vodafone-D

in France its Ornage.

for the full range of networks and countries refer to:-

http://www.apple.com/iphone/countries/

that said in Australia it was released on all 3 networks as in Australia its illegal to make exclusive deals.

Answer 2

I'm lead to believe that in the UK at least Apple and O2 have a 12month contract for exclusivity, as to whether it will be renewed after that we won't know till a lot closer to the time. It would certainly help us if it went to all the networks but then Apple and O2 would not be raking in all the massive profits through this fixed price structure they have. I personally am prepared to wait and see. At least by that time Apple will have hopefully ironed out all the niggling problems they currently have, battery life etc...

If you're still thinking of getting one then go for the £45/month contract, free phone, then lower the tariff after 9 months to the £35, yes, you can do this. You will have saved a tenner on the handset. It all counts!