| 17th October - The speculation
over the future of the Apple iPhone in France is finally over, as local mobile
operator Orange signs an exclusive deal to deliver the iconic device. The
failure of Apple and Orange to officially announce an iPhone partnership in France
had caused a stir over the past couple of weeks. The respective announcements
from O2 UK and T-Mobile Germany came out as and when predicted, but the lack of
something official from Orange France raised a few eyebrows, particularly as Apple
Expo in Paris has been and gone. The word on the web is that Orange and
Apple failed to see eye to eye over the contract, widely believed to centre on
the operator kickback on iPhone service revenues, estimated to be anything between
20 and 40 per cent. Or, it could be that some intricacies of French law prohibit
Orange from selling the phone exclusively. Nevertheless, the deal will be
exclusive and French consumers will get the device on November 29, 20 days later
than the Brits and Germans. The iPhone will be available in an 8GB model
for Eur399 including VAT on any subscription to one of the dedicated rate plans.
Orange has not yet revealed details of its iPhone tariffs or length of the contract
but all other iPhone carriers have demanded a two year lock in.
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