News
Apple goes with O2, reveals iPhone UK launch details
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, September 18, 2007
News Category: iPhone
At its “Mum is no longer the word” press event today, Apple revealed details of the iPhone’s UK introduction. The company announced that O2 will be the device’s exclusive carrier in the UK, when it makes its debut on November 9. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with O2 to offer our revolutionary iPhone to UK customers,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “US iPhone customer satisfaction is off the charts, and we can’t wait to let UK customers get their hands on it and learn what they think of it.” Matthew Key, CEO, O2 UK, said, “The iPhone is a breakthrough that is changing the way people use their mobiles forever, and we’re thrilled to have it exclusively for O2 customers in the UK.”
The iPhone will be sold exclusively in the UK through Apple’s retail and online stores, O2 and The Carphone Warehouse retail stores, and will be available as an EDGE-based 8GB model for £269 (inc. VAT). It will also require an 18 month contract with O2. O2 will offer three different tariffs for the phone, starting at £35 a month for 200 minutes and 200 SMS messages, and going up to £55 a month for 1200 minutes and 500 SMS. All three tariffs include unlimited data, visual voicemail, and unlimited access at any of The Cloud’s 7500 UK Wi-Fi hotspots. iPhone activation will require an internet connection, an iTunes Store account or major credit card, and the latest version of iTunes.
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1
The unlimited Cloud Wi-Fi usage is the only silver lining here, if you’ll excuse the pun!
Posted by Yashin on September 18, 2007 at 4:06 AM (PDT)
2
Well considering that a good many of The Cloud Wi-fi points in my town are phone boxes I don’t see that as a silver lining….....
Posted by Bob Levens in UK on September 18, 2007 at 4:23 AM (PDT)
3
Unlimited WiFi “subject to fair-use policy”? Anyone know what that restriction pertains to?
Posted by Jim on September 18, 2007 at 4:37 AM (PDT)
4
Bob, I’m reaching, I know. The whole thing is a bit of a train-wreck, to be honest.
Apple and O2 announce unlimited data plans in the UK, but cover themselves by downgrading the network to a snail’s pace and making sure only 30% of the country is covered.
Jim, the ‘fair use’ for the EDGE plan is a limit of 1,400 page downloads a day. So it’s not unlimited by an means, although you’d probably struggle to get 140 page downloads a day via EDGE.
Posted by Yashin on September 18, 2007 at 5:28 AM (PDT)
5
Hardly a secret, but how can they push this as an EDGE device when the number of O2 EDGE equipped sites can be counted in the fingers of one hand? My Blackberry flips into EDGE mode in central Cambridge but not, amusingly, in Regent St, London! (As tested yesterday when I bought my 160Gb ipod). Wifi? Not reached my part of the country (not far from Mr Levens).
Posted by drevo_uk in UK on September 18, 2007 at 5:47 AM (PDT)
6
Does this mean you can’t just use any wi-fi, like one at home? No 3G, so hardware-wise it’s identical to the American one. Somehow I don’t think the Brits will be camping out in front of the stores.
Posted by Ian on September 18, 2007 at 6:50 AM (PDT)
7
lol £35 per month with a 2 year contract just for an iphone on o2 no way. this is just day light robbery.
Posted by Mike on September 18, 2007 at 9:30 AM (PDT)
8
Oh great value!, I would like a lot of the iphones features like google maps, camera, speaker etc but i’m not a heavy mobile user, few texts but hardly any calls but I would use the safari browser often.
£35X12 plus the £269 is £899, I really not going to pay three times the cost of a touch am I?. Sure it has a lot over the touch but then again the touch is smaller and has double the storage so that has benefits too…..oh and it doesn’t cost £900!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Cloysterpeteuk on September 18, 2007 at 10:32 AM (PDT)
9
A concern for Apple should be that its target market won’t be able to afford the min £900 18 month cost. It looks conspicuously poor value against a Nokia N95 on the same tarriff. Still, it will do well enough. BTW the Regent St O2 site was working in Edge mode today. Only another 5000 or so sites to go, lads…
Posted by drevo_uk in UK on September 19, 2007 at 6:45 AM (PDT)