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Orange drops exclusive Apple iPhone deal
04 November 2009
Orange has lost exclusivity for the iPhone in France, just days after the company won the right to sell the iPhone in the UK in competition with the original UK exclusive operator, O2
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Apple
iPhone
Orange
O2
AT&T
SFR
Bouygues
Vodafone
Comment: The iPhone has been an exclusive product for one operator in most countries for a year — but that era is coming to an end. It’s partly by negotiation, as in the UK where Orange and, though later, Vodafone will start selling it in competition with O2. And it’s partly by regulation, as in France. In the US there are rumours that AT&T will lose exclusivity. Does that mean an iPhone price war? Not yet, if Orange’s initial UK prices are anything to go by.
France Telecom Orange and Apple have abandoned an exclusive sales deal for the iPhone in France. The French competition authority had temporarily ruled against the exclusivity agreement, in December 2008.
The initial objection to the deal was brought by Vivendi’s mobile unit, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. The sales agreement would have weakened competition among mobile services providers, according to the regulator.
Apple has agreed not to give exclusive rights to any telecom operator or equipment wholesaler to sell the iPhone in France.
Orange will start selling iPhones in the UK from November 10. This will end a two-year exclusive contract held by Telefónica’s O2 mobile network. GTB