Tuesday, June 17,2008 @ 10:50am
UK interest in iPhone almost quadruples with 3G
Interest in the iPhone 3G has nearly quadrupled over that of the first-generation iPhone, says the UK division of phone carrier O2. Over 130,000 people are said to have pre-registered for information on the 3G launch, a significant shift from the relatively small 35,000 who expressed interest in the 2.5G device, which first launched in the UK on November 9th. Actual sales in that region fell below analyst expectations.
Several factors may have been involved in low interest, namely pricing, which began at £269, or $528 -- well more than the US price of $399. Pricing was "an issue for some segments of the market," according to O2 UK CEO Ronan Dunne. By comparison some 3G buyers will be able to pick up a phone for free on July 11th, due to subsidies absorbed by O2. Profit is expected only through the monthly revenue guaranteed by contracts.