Although Orange CEO Didier Lombard casually leaked the news almost a month ago, Apple has officially announced Orange will be the exclusive carrier for the company’s popular iPhone in France. The 8 GB iPhone will go on sale November 29 for €399, including V.A.T.
“The iPhone is a marvelous product and will change how people think about mobile. I’m delighted that it is launching in France through Orange, and I’m sure that our customers share my excitement,” said Lombard, in a statement. “It’s going to be a very merry Christmas for Orange customers all over the country!”
The iPhones available through Orange will feature the latest iPhone software updates, including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music store, which enables users to purchase music directly from iTunes using their iPhone over a Wi-Fi Internet connection, and sync the music back to their computer.
The companies have not announced any information on Orange’s service and data plans for the iPhone; presumably, service pricing information will be revealed closer to the iPhone launch date in France.
Perhaps the most significant development from the Orange/Apple deal is that French law prohibits mobile phones from being exclusively bound to a single carrier. As such, Orange and Apple will have to offer an unlocked version of the iPhone in France—and probably in other European and Asian countries with similar regulations. Pricing and availability of unlocked iPhones has not yet been announced.
Apple has partnered with O2 to launch the iPhone in the UK, and with T-Mobile to carry the iPhone in Germany. Both carriers are scheduled to start selling the iPhone November 9.
