iPhone 3G & 3GS On Vodafone Mobile Network (UK)

Written by Simon Barker on September 29, 2009 · Filed under Tech 

Another day, another iPhone announcement from a mobile network in the UK – you discuss the possibility of the iPhone on other UK mobile networks, then two announcements come along in as many days!

The day after we found out that we’d be getting iPhones on the Orange network in late 2009, we now find out that Vodafone will also have them available on their network after talks were completed and the deal was signed late last night with Apple.

Clearly Vodafone feel that they can’t risk not stocking the iPhone 3GS as their chief executive, Vittorio Colao said that it’s the main reason for losing around 160,000 subscribers in the last quarter alone, no doubt those customers flocked to O2 due to their iPhone exclusivity deal that they had in place – presumably they felt they couldn’t risk losing even more with Orange providing another alternative to people.

Vodafone’s iPhone is currently slated for an early 2010 release, so although they will be getting it onto their network, perhaps they’re paying the price for letting Orange beat them to the late 2009 and Christmas supplies of the iPhones – it makes you wonder how many iPhones will now be sold by O2 and Orange combined this Christmas!

Having three mobile networks offering the iPhone has to be even better news for consumers in terms of choice and prices being offered and this is backed up by Steven Hartley who is an analyst at the technology research house Ovum who has said:

“Research shows that in every country where there is more than one operator selling it, it is cheaper.
“It could be very disruptive, but it depends how Orange play it. If they get really aggressive O2 will have to respond and a full-on price war could start.”

These are definitely interesting times for the mobile phone market now, as an observer and customer it should be good to see how this develops as it’s also rumoured that Virgin Mobile are ‘desperate’ to strike a deal to sell the iPhone as well.

If you’re interested in getting a Vodafone iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS, then you can find out more or get one ordered by heading on over to the Vodafone website.

Via – Telegraph