Orange, the mobile phone and Internet access division of France Telecom, has reportedly announced that Apple has signed up with the network operator to offer the popular iPod-cum-mobile phone device in parts of Middle East, Africa as well as Europe in addition to France, by 2008-end.
The wireless carrier has also revealed its plan to release the iPhone in Austria, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Switzerland, as well as in the Dominican Republic, Egypt and Jordan later this year.
Apple, who wishes to achieve 10 million sales units this year, sells the iPhone in the US, UK and Germany through its exclusive carrier. Similarly, Orange also seems to roll out the Apple iPhone in an exclusive deal.
However, non-exclusive iPhone deals are apparently in news as well. Apple might launch the unlocked versions of the revolutionary phone in Australia and India. Apart from exclusive and non-exclusive deals, Apple is also looking forward for a multiple supplier deal as a new strategy to offer the phone through two or more carriers.
Unless and until Apple does not actually begin implementing its so called strategy, we can consider the news as a speculation.
