BS Reporter / Mumbai May 7, 2008
Telecom major Vodafone will offer the much awaited iPhone in India. The firm has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in 10 of its markets around the globe.
Later this year, Vodafone customers in India, Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network.
However, the company did not disclose the price of iPhone. Business Standard had on April 16, 2008 reported that the price would range between Rs 27,200 and Rs 28,000. It is expected that Vodafone would launch iPhone by the first week of September. Apple sources in Singapore, when contacted last month, had maintained that the India launch would happen in 2008, but did not disclose the exact date.
The Cupertino, California-based Apple said that initially it will launch the 8 GB version of the much-hyped touchscreen device — which combines Wi-Fi capabilities with a powerful email client, TV feeds, online music store and map-based location guide.
Based on buyer response, it will stagger the launch of the 16 GB version in the middle of 2009. Initial sales target for the iPhone in India or unit numbers at the time of launch are not yet available, with Apple wary of grey market sales in India.
"The carrier deal for India is being worked out with Vodafone," said an Apple source, adding: "Vodafone could also become the carrier for the Australian market, once iPhone is launched there, though more than one carrier is likely for Australia."
Telecom major Vodafone will offer the much awaited iPhone in India. The firm has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in 10 of its markets around the globe.
Later this year, Vodafone customers in India, Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network.
However, the company did not disclose the price of iPhone. Business Standard had on April 16, 2008 reported that the price would range between Rs 27,200 and Rs 28,000. It is expected that Vodafone would launch iPhone by the first week of September. Apple sources in Singapore, when contacted last month, had maintained that the India launch would happen in 2008, but did not disclose the exact date.
The Cupertino, California-based Apple said that initially it will launch the 8 GB version of the much-hyped touchscreen device — which combines Wi-Fi capabilities with a powerful email client, TV feeds, online music store and map-based location guide.
Based on buyer response, it will stagger the launch of the 16 GB version in the middle of 2009. Initial sales target for the iPhone in India or unit numbers at the time of launch are not yet available, with Apple wary of grey market sales in India.
"The carrier deal for India is being worked out with Vodafone," said an Apple source, adding: "Vodafone could also become the carrier for the Australian market, once iPhone is launched there, though more than one carrier is likely for Australia."
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