Mike Butcher

It looks like 02 has swiped the Apple iPhone from the clutches of Vodafone, according to breaking news reports. Although 02 itself is denying it. For now…

UPDATE: A well placed tbites source at a rival network with no interest in spinning the story tells us the iPhone has “definitely” gone to 02 in the UK. What everyone is not sure about yet is if this is just going to be the US / 2.5G version, or which operator will get the license for the 3G version of the iPhone which is due to appear at the end of this year/beginning of next. What is also puzzling some industry observers is why 02 wants the iPhone when it is already the leading UK network, and is therefore not in as much need of an extra 500,000 customers (as were attracted to AT&T in the US). The plot thickens…

According to reports starting to leak out from reliable sources, a new 3G version of the iPhone may be launched Monday in the UK in a joint promotion with Vodafone, T-Mobile, and UK phone retailer Carphone Warehouse as an MVNO.

A report in the London Evening Standard newspaper (no link available) yesterday hinted that Vodafone would be the official carrier in Europe, but Newswireless (run by long-time mobile journalist Guy Kewney) today says Apple is going with three carriers in Europe to answer criticisms folllowing its exclusive deal with AT&Tin the US. The announcement is slated for Monday but an actual shipment date for the 3G iPhone is unknown, although it is looking like the year-end.

Vodafone recently launched flat-rate data charges for its under-used 3G network, making it a good platform for the iPhone, while T-Mobile has positioned itself for a while as a flat-rate “Web and Walk” carrier. Carphone Warehouse, though a left-field choice, is said to be in the frame as a MVNO carrier in the UK. The American version, using only 2G phone technology, goes on sale in the US today.