Vodafone, too, will sell iPhone in U.K.

Vodafone will begin selling the iPhone in the U.K. early next year, the operator said Tuesday.

The news follows Orange's announcement Monday that it will start selling the iPhone. Unlike Vodafone, however, Orange will begin stocking the iPhone before year's end.

The announcements mark the end of O2's two-year exclusivity on Apple's popular handset.

Vodafone Group already sells the iPhone through 13 of its operators around the world, while Orange stocks the handset in 28 countries and territories. Neither Vodafone nor Orange has announced details of their iPhone pricing plans for the U.K. market.

Among the other U.K. operators, T-Mobile has said it has no plans to offer the iPhone, and 3 has not indicated its intentions regarding the handset.

David Meyer of ZDNet UK reported from London.

[Lasslo_Veda]

Great news

[Mikeatle]

Sounds like England has it all over the U.S. when it comes to distribution of the iPhone. I still can't believe that Apple ended up with a five-year contract with AT&T.

[sharpestsharpy]

All the rumors were that it would be T-Mobile who broke into the iPhone monopoly. I'm gutted.

[qwerty-berty]

A merger between Orange and T-Mobile is on the cards, so you may get your wish! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8243226.stm

[abcd9009]

As of right now, T-Mobile is the only other GSM provider in the US so it seems they are the only other candidate to support the iPhone.

[JPSaltzman]

And in other news, AT&T announced today that 105.6% of all their iPhone customers are satisfied with their service, and report no dropped calls within the past 17 minutes.

In a related story, Apple today announced that software version 3.2.8f1z will be available for immediate download (free for iPhone customers, $292.59 for iPod Touch users). This software solves many problems. An Apple spokesperson refused to comment on just what those problems were.

[artistjoh]

Here in Australia there were originally 3 carriers with the iPhone including Vodafone. Now there are 5 carriers with it. The first year Vodafone had no idea about marketing the iPhone and the plans were okay but not as good as Optus. This year Vodafone stepped up to a real competitive position and the value of plans from both Optus and Vodafone is way better than 12 months ago. I chose Vodafone because of unlimited calls, unlimited text, free tethering (just part of data usage), and 2GB of data all for $AUD114 per month ($USD98). I love competition with the iPhone and Vodafone will be good for British iPhone users.

[DrtyDogg]

When is the US going to get the iPhone free with contract?