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Filed under: iPhone

Orange denies planting iPhone customers

Last week, there was a story stating that Orange had hired actors to pad iPhone lineups for the Polish debut. This week, they're denying it.

According to Orange, some of their employees were joining customers in line to share in the excitement and talk about the product, not pose as potential customers. "Their aim is to welcome people to the Orange shop, share in their excitement and give information about Orange tariffs," a spokeswoman told Ad Age.

Of course, if these people were on the clock, then technically they were paid to stand in line. But now we're just splitting hairs. The original story identified fear of slow sales as Orange's motivation, but they're reporting that sales have been good in Poland.

In the end, Orange employees were in line, but not to pose as customers. Ah, good. I can sleep tonight.

[Via MacDailyNews]

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, iPhone

Orange pays Polish actors to line up for iPhone

Here's an odd story. When the iPhone launches in Poland today (8/22), there will be long lines at Orange retail stores. In fact, it's guaranteed.

Reuters is reporting that Orange has hired actors to queue up at "...twenty stores" on Friday to spark in interest. Before you say, "That's crazy," consider that many Americans were willing to sit in line for a week. For free.

Perhaps Orange is trying to pad a potentially lukewarm reception to high-priced plans. For example, the base iPhone plan will cost 195PLN ($45) per month and will offer users 150 minutes of talk time plus 500MB of data.

Clever marketing or dirty pool? And what happens when the next actor in line reaches the counter and doesn't buy anything?

Filed under: Rumors, iPhone

iPhone news for Switzerland, Spain and Poland

Here's some good news for people in Switzerland, Spain, Poland who are awaiting iPhones. According to Fortune, all three countries may sell them soon.

Earlier this week, Le Matin Online reported (linked page is in French) that Swisscom will be the official iPhone carrier for Switzerland. Coincidentally, Apple is rumored to be opening an Apple Store in Zürich in July of this year (we first heard rumors of a Zürich store in 2006).

Likewise, France Telecom stated their intention to extend coverage to "...more than just two countries" via their CFO Gervais Pellissier. As the largest European countries that still lack a carrier, Poland and Spain are obviously attractive to France Telecom.

In related news, French iPhone customers can expect no immediate changes, as France Telecom intends to remain the country's exclusive carrier for the next two years.

To all the TUAW readers in Switzerland, Spain and Poland ... we've got our fingers crossed for you! Let us know if you hear anything from your local news outlets.

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