Orange Announces Plans to Offer iPhone in UK

Wireless carrier Orange today issued a brief announcement revealing that it has struck a deal with Apple to offer the iPhone 3G and 3GS in the United Kingdom, ending rival carrier O2's iPhone exclusivity in that country. Details on pricing and a launch date will be announced at a later date.

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

Several reports surfaced in recent months claiming that Apple would be ending its exclusive arrangement with O2 and that Orange and T-Mobile would most likely be the primary bidders to begin offering the iPhone there. Those two companies have since signaled their intent to merge operations in the UK.