Malaysia, Indonesia to carry iPhone in March
updated 04:35 pm EDT, Wed March 11, 2009
Malay, Indonesian iPhones
Malaysia and Indonesia will be the next two countries to carry the iPhone 3G, accounts indicate. Malaysian carrier Maxis is already taking pre-orders for the device, which should launch in the country on March 20th. When selecting a 12-month contract, an 8GB phone will cost between RM 1900 and RM 1080, while a 16GB model will cost between RM 2290 and RM 1470. Prices are dependent on the particular i-Value plans users pick, which start at RM 100 for 333 minutes and 500MB of data and end at RM 375 for 2,500 minutes and 3GB of data.
iPhones become cheaper under a two-year contract, ranging from RM 1890 to RM 260 for 16GB, and as far as free for 8GB when pairing the capacity with the most expensive i-Value plan. A Value Plus plan drops contract time to only six months, but raises the cost of an 8GB phone to RM 2540 and a 16GB phone to RM 2960. Monthly fees also vary from RM 80 to RM 500 without including free voice minutes.
An Indonesian iPhone is claimed to have been confirmed for March 23rd, though few other details are available. The initial carrier is expected to be Telkomsel, while distribution should be handled through four separate chains. Cost may be prohibitively expensive for many Indonesians however, reaching as high as IDR 10 million or more, valued close to $836 US.
