Yesterday, Apple announced an exclusive partnership with the UK’s O2 to bring the iPhone to the United Kingdom; today, the iconic electronics maker announced an exclusive deal with Germany’s T-Mobile to offer the iPhone in Germany, beginning on November 9. The 8 GB iPhone will go for a whopping €399 (currently, that’s over $550 USD) with a two-year T-Mobile tariff.
The German launch date of the iPhone corresponds to the product’s launch date in the UK. Speculation is now centering on France, where Apple is expected to announce another exclusive partnership shortly.
“We are convinced that we can get our customers excited about experiencing the mobile internet with the iPhone,” said Hamid Akhavan, CEO, T-Mobile International. “I am proud that Apple and T-Mobile have become partners. The best mobile device currently on the market will soon be operating on the best network in the country.”
Unlike the O2 deal, Apple’s arrangement with T-Mobile makes no mention of access to a Wi-Fi hotspot network; similarly, rates for data services on T-Mobile’s EDGE network have not been announced. Apple’s announcement yesterday with O2—and even the initial announcement of iPhone data plans with AT&T in the U.S.—detailed monthy fees for voice, text messaging, and data services. According to T-Mobile, rate plans will be announced shortly before the iPhone becomes available.
Reports from TheStreet.com (video) and elsewhere have Apple significantly ramping up iPhone production to meet anticipated demand in both domestic and international markets. Apple recently sold its millionth iPhone in the U.S.; according to speculation, Apple will be ramping up iPhone production from 1.5 million units to 2.7 million units this quarter, and bump its expected iPhone production for the year from 3.6 million to 4.8 million units.
