Vodafone to have exclusive rights to 3G iPhone in Q1?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted November 20th 2007 4:45AM
posted November 20th 2007 4:45AM
It's been awhile since we've had a decent 3G iPhone rumor to kick about. Perhaps it was the collective disappointment of the 2.5G release on Europe which deflated all the mongering. Whatever it was, we all know it's coming, it's just a question of when. Well, the gossip coming out of Italy calls for a Q1 release of a UMTS iPhone. Italian site Morse.IT claims to have spoken to high-level sources and "confirms" in no uncertain terms that Vodafone has signed an exclusive deal with Apple. Right, the same company currently suing T-Mobile in Germany for their iPhone exclusivity. The launch of the 3G iPhone would occur simultaneously in all countries where the carrier operates but will not be announced until after the holidays (MacWorld?) to avoid impacting sales of the existing iPhone. The timing chides well with other rumors calling for a 3G release before May. Still, a Vodafone iPhone sold in the UK and Germany would seem a violation of those long-term exclusive deals presumably signed with Apple by O2 and T-Mobile, right? Sure, unless of course, those contract were for rights to the "iPhone," not the "iPhone 3G" you silly lawyers. [via Unwired View]
I personally doubt the 3G-Vodaphone rumor.
It doesn't make sense. Vodaphone would not have launched their legal battle if they were themselves negotiating an "exclusive" deal. It doesn't make sense for Apple to ignore (betray?) their "first" iphone partners. Apple is not stupid enough to ignite massive legal problems and poison thier relationships with other carriers, by trying to claim the G3iPhone is not the "iPhone".
Except if Voda launched it's lawsuit as a leverage tactic against Apple.
Does seem odd but not totally without possibility.
you could at the same time spread the rumor that Mercedes will be produced by some korean no name car maker. Let's have a look at this story. First of all Apple was wise enough to choose T-Mobile for the German launch because they have implemented EDGE throught their network like no other telco. Secondly the question is do you need 3G-is connection speed all the time, 24 hrs. a day. In most cases the answer is no. Basic functionality and speed is guaranteed with EDGE. When you need a faster connection simply connect it with your choice of W-Lan and kiss 3G goodbye. The question is does Apple have to implement technology that's not needed for most users? I don't think so, because the product is great as it is. Now looking at the current news why in the hell would they even think about selling this product that I don't see in the pipeline via Vodafone? The company filing a suit against T-Mobile for selling the iPhone in combination with a 24 mth contract. Now really, I don't see that at all. It's always nice to be an Apple user. Attention guaranteed. As the iPhone goes over the counter in Germany for 999EUR as of today I wonder what the price tag would be for the 3G version, 1499? Time for a good laugh...
p.s. I own the iPhone for a week now and I love it, without 3G. I have owned many phones, the last one was a Nokia E65 and guess how many times I have used 3G the last 5 months. Twice. To update the phone.