iPhone coming to France via Orange
updated 11:05 am EDT, Thu September 20, 2007
iPhone coming to France
France Telecom today announced that it holds exclusive rights to distribute Apple's iPhone in France. The company's CEO Didier Lombard refused to offer details on pricing, but said that the iPhone will not be subsidized by the operator and that French consumers will see iPhones before Christmas and as early as November, according to Thomson Financial. Apple announced that mobile carrier O2 would begin selling iPhones in the UK starting November 9th, confirming rumors that the Cupertino-based company had already signed a deal to distribute its cellular handset in Europe. Apple also revealed yesterday that the iPhone is coming to Germany via T-Mobile, making good on its promise to offer the iPhone in select European countries as a first step in distributing the device overseas.






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separating markets
The iTunes system prevents a person in the UK from purchasing a music track on the French site. The EU is concerned that this is contrary to the laws that underpin the common market. That is, that any person in the EU should be able to purchase a product that is for sale in any EU Member State.
It is possible that the EU may also raise concerns if a UK citizen is unable to purchase a 'French' iPhone for use in the UK.
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