Operators struggle to price iPhone 3G

None outside US confirm cost of ownership

9 June 2008 23:13 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Operators around the world have been quick to send out press releases in partnership with Apple to let customers in the relevant territories know that they’ve paid to be an operator of the new phone, however in the 15 or so releases we’ve received, outside the US no one is prepared to state how much for.

Instead what we’ve got is a virtual carbon copy of the same press release from different operators clearly showing the Apple PR machine in action. From O2 to Orange to Vodafone to T-Mobile to Hutchison in Hong Kong it's virtually the same.

To save us time we thought we would give you your own press release template to fill in with the operator from your own country.

The press release reads as follows, fill in your own operator name were appropriate:

LOCATION and SAN FRANCISCO, June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- INSERT OPERATOR and Apple(R) today announced that the highly anticipated iPhone(TM) 3G will be available in INSERT YOUR COUNTRY on July 11, and in additional markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa later this year. iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with 3G networking that is twice as fast* as the first generation iPhone, built-in GPS for expanded location based mobile services, and iPhone 2.0 software which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and runs the hundreds of third party applications already built with the recently released iPhone SDK.

INSERT QUOTE FROM OPERATOR

"We're excited to extend our relationship with INSERT OPERATOR to bring iPhone 3G to more than INSERT NUMBER markets across the globe," said Tim Cook, Apple's COO. "We can't wait to get this revolutionary phone in the hands of even more people around the world."

INSERT ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION HERE

* Based on 3G and EDGE testing. Actual speeds vary by site conditions.

INSERT OPERATOR BOILER PLATE

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.