In a singularly uninformative press release, SingTel, Singapore's largest telecommunications company, has announced that it is bringing the iPhone to "Singapore, India, the Philippines and Australia later this year" through several subsidiary carrier brands: SingTel, Bharti Airtel, Globe and Optus. The latter confirms our earlier post that Aussies won't be limited to Vodafone for their iPhone needs. Unfortunately no dates or pricing have been announced; it seems safe to assume this will cover the forthcoming 3G iPhone. In any case, this is good news for some of our Asia / Pacific iPhone brethren.
Thanks Peter!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-12-2008 @ 9:05AM
Kizorblade said...
Awesome, they're starting to release them South East Asia.
Come on Apple! Indonesia next!
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5-12-2008 @ 10:12AM
Peter Payne said...
I think I speak for every phone-using gaijin living in Japan when I say
WTF? Where's Japan???
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5-12-2008 @ 12:00PM
Dan Butterfield said...
The SingTel Group launch will involve seven different carriers in as many nations and bring iPhone to a subscriber base of 136 million. This is a hugh deal for Apple. Apple conveniently has a major campus in Singapore.
Here are a few links to relevant SingTel Apple articles on iPhonAsia>
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/singtel-yes/
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5-12-2008 @ 1:10PM
Angel said...
Finally, Philippines. No need to unlock now. :P
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5-12-2008 @ 1:12PM
Seth A said...
I think we are all in for much more than we expected at WWDC, all these announcements... I think Apple is about to adopt a new strategy, and it involves everybody.
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5-12-2008 @ 2:30PM
Sam said...
I always wondered whether the global market would accept network exclusivity with the iPhone, but I never expected the idea to come crashing down quite so quickly.
I hope that Apple manage to get out of current exclusivity contracts with the launch of a 3G iPhone*. Personally, as I'm in the UK, I'd like to have a 3G phone on a network that can meet its 3G rollout deadline and not risk getting effectively fined £40m because they can't (or rather, didn't - but Ofcom gave them more time). That's any network *but* the current iPhone exclusive, O2.
Sam
* At this point, Apple kind of have to launch a 3G iPhone soon. It might not be available for a month or so afterwards, but even considering Apple's prowess in pulling something unexpected and cool out of the hat to placate us for what we were expecting, most of the developed world has good 3G coverage and right now I just want to see the plain old predictable rabbit. A flock of white doves appearing as if from nowhere will probably show up too, but don't forget the rabbit, Apple!
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5-12-2008 @ 2:50PM
Swapnonil said...
Looks like we Indians will have a choice also.
After Vodafone, Bharti Airtel seems to be the second carrier lining up to bring the iPhone to India.
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