Italian carrier Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) is set to launch the 3G iPhone in June, according to a new report. La Repubblica, a well-respected Italian daily, claims (Translated Link) the Italian selling price of the 3G iPhone may be substantially higher due to the lack of a revenue sharing agreement, and that TIM would begin carrying the phone several months before competitors in lieu of long-term exclusivity. It is unclear whether a change of this sort in carrier strategy by Apple would be a result of apparently slower than expected iPhone sales in Europe that have led to recent price-cuts on the phone in the UK and Germany. Evidence of a potential iPhone deal with TIM has notably been found in the device’s firmware, dating back to version 1.1.2, however, the iPhone still has not officially launched in Italy. [via Engadget]
Charles Starrett was a senior editor at iLounge. He's been covering the iPod, iPhone, and iPad since their inception. He has written numerous articles and reviews, and his work has been featured in multiple publications.