As announced yesterday, we obtained details concerning the agreement between Apple and Orange for distributing the iPhone in Europe. However, the current drafted contract not being signed yet, it might still evolve.
Let's first mention past issues:
- Apple was concerned by the French law forcing carriers to SIM unlocked mobile phones 6 months after their launch to prevent monopoly and let users the choice of their carrier after 6 month exclusivity. This has nothing to do with the carrier, it is the law, and Apple knew it before starting negotiation with the second largest carrier in Europe.
- Apple did not want to see the iPhone sold cheaper thanks to subscription-linked discount applied by default in most EU countries (customers can get access to high-end mobile phones at a interesting price if subscribing to a 24 months contract with the carrier. The discount applied by the carrier for making the mobile phone cheaper, is then pay back thanks to 24 months subscription fee)
