Wednesday, 14. May 2008
Asia, Australia Prepare for iPhone
In a recent announcement, Bharti Airtel, Globe Telecom, Singapore Telecommunications and SingTel subsidiary Optus said that they have signed a deal with Apple to offer the iPhone in their respective markets later this year.
Bharti Airtel, India's top mobile operator, will carry the iPhone in the world's fastest-growing wireless market, which already has more than 260 million mobile users. SingTel owns more than 30 percent of Bharti Airtel. SingTel unit Optus will offer the iPhone in Australia, and Globe Telecom will be the Philippine partner. Globe Telecom is owned by SingTel and domestic conglomerate Ayala Corp.
Specific dates and pricing details for iPhone in these regions are not disclosed yet. Australia and India are two countries that Vodafone already announced that it would be carrying the iPhone, making Optus and Bharti Airtel in Australia and India (respectively) the second carriers for those regions.