O2's Reign Is Over, Orange Announces Plans To Offer iPhone 3G And 3GS In UK

It has been rumored many times before, but today it has become official.  The mobile wireless carrier Orange has issued a brief announcement indicating that the company has struck a deal with Apple to offer the iPhone 3G and 3GS in the UK, which effectively puts and end to O2's iPhone exclusivity in that country.

Orange UK and Apple have reached an agreement to bring iPhone 3G and 3GS to Orange UK customers later this year. Orange globally now offers iPhone in 28 countries and territories. Orange, which has the largest 3G network covering more people in the UK than any other operator, will sell iPhone in all Orange direct channels including Orange shops, the Orange webshop and Orange telesales channels, as well as selected high street partners. A pre-registration site for customers to log their interest has been launched at www.Orange.co.uk/iPhone

The company has stated that more information on pricing and tariffs will be released sometime in the future.  Orange expects the iPhone 3G and 3GS to be available in the UK "later this year." This could be viewed as a win for all customers in the UK no matter which carrier you prefer because there is finally a little competition, and with competition comes price wars.  Now if only we had more legitimate options here in the U.S.

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