Vodafone holding out for 3G iPhone
updated 11:55 am EDT, Thu July 19, 2007
Vodafone wants 3G iPhone
The interenational phone carrier Vodafone is saying that while it would like to distribute the iPhone in Europe, its major issue is the lack of 3G in the device. Reuters writes that in a recent Vodafone conference call, during which it reported healthy third-quarter finances, the company expressed doubts about success for the iPhone in Europe using its current design -- its cellular broadband comes in the form of EDGE, a "2.5G" technology that even Apple CEO Steve Jobs has admitted can be slow.
"It's clearly a good, software-driven device," said Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin, "but we're concerned about wideband area coverage so that 3G (third-generation) or HSDPA (upgraded 3G) connectivity with the iPhone is something that we look forward to."
The difficulty is that much of Europe, particularly Scandinavia, has long been accustomed to 3G services and would likely see the current iPhone as a step backwards rather than the great leap forward promoted by Apple. "Every product, every alterative, every choice here has a price and we just have to be conscious of what it is that we're doing for our customers and our shareholders," said Sarin.
While Vodafone has been pointed to as a serious contender for a pan-European iPhone contract, its recent statements and a general lack of news may indicate that Apple is heading elsewhere, possibly to T-Mobile. Apple is notorious for having coerced AT&T into many concessions, in exchange for an exclusive iPhone contract.
I fully agree
07/19, 12:35pm reply
Here in Belgium, we start to have 3G (HSDPA) coverage "all over the place" too. So although I like the iPhone very much from what I read and see on-line (AND I'm an "apple fan-boy"): no iPhone for me until 3G is an option !
zeonlyone
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2006
3G or Wimax
07/19, 12:47pm reply
Vodafone and some others have spent a lot of money on 3G event they know that is not really the "future". Orange in France is proposing "pro" users to open there LiveBox for Guess access. It means that they are also preparing people tu use wifi instead of 3G. With Wimax coming soon as well I guess that Apple is going in the right direction and do not have to go in a wall.
riquito
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2001
lots of 2g still
07/19, 12:52pm reply
A lot of 2g phones are still sold in Europe, though I hope that Apple comes out with a 3G version soon as I would like that for travel to Japan from the US.
chadpengar
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2001
One down...
07/19, 01:02pm reply
So, I guess that's Vodafone out of the running then!
Geobunny
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Oct 2000
802.11n plz
07/19, 03:06pm reply
802.11n would also be nice, especially if you decide to run your airport extreme in 5ghz n-only mode for the performance and interference improvements..
OtisWild
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
not Quite
07/19, 05:14pm reply
Apple didn't coerce AT&T into anything. Apple clearly needed AT&T more then AT&T needed Apple. If anything, both companies came out OK. Clearly, a five year exclusive contract was a major concession on Apple's part.
Terrin
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
huh?
07/20, 06:10pm reply
So this is a ROKR with a clickwheel? What is the point?
MacnnChester
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Joined: Jun 2007