French Apple and Orange iPhone deal official

France gets it on 29th Nov for 399 euros

17 October 2007 8:05 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Apple has officially announced the French iPhone deal with Orange after a false start and rumours of troubled negotiations between the two companies.

Orange will be the iPhone provider in France, when it makes its debut in France on Thursday, November 29.

"We are excited to partner with Orange and bring iPhone to France in time for the holidays", said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPhone is an amazing product and we hope mobile users in France will love it as much as we do."

"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. Our partnership with Apple is a natural fit because we are two global brands who share the same values of simplicity and innovation. It’s going to be a very merry Christmas for Orange customers all over the country!", said Didier Lombard, CEO, France Telecom.

The iPhone will be available in an 8GB model for €399. Interestingly, it appears that an unlocked option will be offered, as speculation suggested, because of French legal requirements, although no details have been provided.