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.
