Apple preparing to launch iPhone in 29 more countries

[AppleInsider]

Apple is gearing up for its third and final phase of international iPhone expansion during the 2008 calendar year, which will include launches in Russia, Brazil and Egypt, but not China or Korea.

Phase 3

Some of those launches are expected to take place as early as this weekend. E-mails sent to AppleInsider readers this week from local carriers imply the device will be available in both Brazil and South Africa this Friday, September 26th.

In total, Apple plans to announce iPhone availability in 29 additional countries, expanding its global footprint from 44 nations today to 73 by the end of the year.

A complete list of countries expected to be part of the phase 3 launch includes Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Russia, Qatar, Senegal, South*Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela.

Phase 1

Apple's first phase iPhone 3G launch took place on July 11th, when it announced availability in 22 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US.

Phase 2

On August 22nd, the Cupertino-based company expanded distribution to 22 additional markets (1, 2, 3) with launches in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Liechtenstein, Macau, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, and Uruguay.

Apple has long stated that it planned to be selling the iPhone in more than 70 countries by the end of the year, though it had not previously provided a complete list of those nations.

Some notable omissions from the list of 29 phase 3 countries are China and Korea, where regulatory bodies appear to be complicating the launch process.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Lafe]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Some notable submissions . . .

I think you meant "omissions".

[davidswelt]

Is it a rumor that all cell phones are required to have a USB port in China?
This rule is very sensible, but of course it would be an obstacle for the iPhone.

[city]

Originally Posted by davidswelt

Is it a rumor that all cell phones are required to have a USB port in China?
This rule is very sensible, but of course it would be an obstacle for the iPhone.

It doesn't sound sensible or even centsible to me.

[MySchizoBuddy]

no United Arab Emirates
Damnit Etisalat

[xflare]

You need to change the name of this website to iPhoneInsider.

[Tauron]

Android will disappear faster than you can say "party plane!".

Blackberry and RIM can also kiss their collective arses goodbye as well, but that will take a while.

[wheelhot]

Damn, no Malaysia again? Noo!!! and I thought Malaysia is going to get iPhone 3G by the end of this year.

Well I dont trust Android no restriction market cause clones of the same apps will start appearing, And also some guy mentioned that po.rn will be included in Android App Store, if its remain open like what Google says.

Meanwhile, Apple need to clean their act with the AppStore. its T&C is getting more ridiculous. I understand why they want to do it but some of it is too much.

[freelander51]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Phase 3

A complete list of countries expected to be part of the phase 3 launch includes Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama:, Russia, Qatar, Senegal, South*Africa, Turkey, and Venezuela.

Phase 1

Apple's first phase iPhone 3G launch took place on July 11th, when it announced availability in 22 countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium , Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US.

Phase 2

On August 22nd, the Cupertino-based company expanded distribution to 22 additional markets (1, 2, 3) with launches in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Liechtenstein, Macau, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, and Uruguay.

Apple has long stated that it planned to be selling the iPhone in more than 70 countries by the end of the year, though it had not previously provided a complete list of those nations.

Some notable omissions from the list of 29 phase 3 countries are China and Korea, where regulatory bodies appear to be complicating the launch process.

Yeah one very noticeable omission ; AVAILABILITY

This is from the mobistar website in Belgium
Crap availability

Order now your iPhone online
Select your iPhone from the 3 available models

Black 8GB 525€ Out of stock
Black 16GB 615€ Out of stock
White 16GB 615€

Maybe before "selling" the device in category/priority 3 markets and creating an unnecessary buzz with even more unnecessary investment bankers, just maybe it is about time and making sure that a category/priority 1 market gets enough gear ?

At this rate I am losing interest in the current models and wait for the refresh after xmas....

I guess Cuba is not on their list yet

[Virgil-TB2]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple is gearing up for its third and final phase ...

You know, almost the only interesting thing about this article is the issue of why exactly they are not deploying in China, and the article provides no information at all on that subject. Even a few lines about what the rumoured reasons are would be more helpful than what you have actually published.

[NanoAkron]

I'm personally very surprised that neither Malaysia nor Indonesia will be in the 2008 round of countries receiving the iPhone 3G.

[samurai1999]

tum, te tum

[slapppy]

Nice, I hope 2.2 will be included. Wishing.

[justflybob]

But will the launch be "snappier"?

That's what I want to know!

[heffeque]

I think that the most complicated one to launch was Liechtenstein. I've been told it's bigger than Russia!

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by slapppy

Nice, I hope 2.2 will be included. Wishing.

They have to update the OS to include Arabic language support if they are going to release it Egypt, Jordan, or Qatar this weekend. Releasing the iPhone without local language support is worst than not releasing it. However, the update could be 2.1.1.

EDIT: They must release an update this month to meet their push notification service deadline (Sept 08)

[Booga]

Originally Posted by Tauron

Android will disappear faster than you can say "party plane!".

Blackberry and RIM can also kiss their collective arses goodbye as well, but that will take a while.

Why would it? Google doesn't seem interested in making a profit, and it's completely subsidized by their search monopoly.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

They have to update the OS to include Arabic language support if they are going to release it Egypt, Jordan, or Qatar this weekend. Releasing the iPhone without local language support is worst than not releasing it.

Anything less than heiroglyphics and I'll be pissed.

[jeffharris]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Phase 3

... Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Senegal ...

Apple can't be serious. THOSE countries and NOT Bulgaria? Most of the rest of Europe is covered already.

I go to Bulgaria once or twice a year for family, friends and business. Although there are hardly any Macs there (I know 3 or 4 people that have Macs).

Phase 4?

[Fast Fred 1]

Originally Posted by NanoAkron

I'm personally very surprised that neither Malaysia nor Indonesia will be in the 2008 round of countries receiving the iPhone 3G.

Do they have electricity yet?

[heffeque]

Originally Posted by Fast Fred 1

Do they have electricity yet?

Very nice post, yes sir. Making friends everywhere. And people wonder why everybody hates the US. People like you make me embarrassed of being American.

[dreamery]

Originally Posted by NanoAkron

I'm personally very surprised that neither Malaysia nor Indonesia will be in the 2008 round of countries receiving the iPhone 3G.

As for Malaysia, I am not in the least surprised. Many here regard Indonesia as more liberal and advanced than Malaysia. My guesses, Indonesia will get it way before Malaysia.

[winterspan]

Sorry to our Indonesia, Malaysia, and S Korea friends! We all hope you get iPhone soon...

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by davidswelt

Is it a rumor that all cell phones are required to have a USB port in China?
This rule is very sensible, but of course it would be an obstacle for the iPhone.

Sure. Why not just open the door to tty ports and just let China reverse engineer and offer a knock-off.

This not only makes zero sense but it forces a different firmware for China which will in essence cripple the iPhone 3G for China to protect against that "requirement."

[wheelhot]

I'm personally very surprised that neither Malaysia nor Indonesia will be in the 2008 round of countries receiving the iPhone 3G.

Yeah, we want iPhone!!!!!

As for Malaysia, I am not in the least surprised. Many here regard Indonesia as more liberal and advanced than Malaysia. My guesses, Indonesia will get it way before Malaysia.

liberal has nothing to do with the iPhone. Indonesia being more advance then Malaysia? Please...you dont know what you talking about.

Do they have electricity yet?

And that's why some of us say some Americans are stupid.

Sorry to our Indonesia, Malaysia, and S Korea friends! We all hope you get iPhone soon...

Thanks

[Obelix]

Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer

Sure. Why not just open the door to tty ports and just let China reverse engineer and offer a knock-off.

This not only makes zero sense but it forces a different firmware for China which will in essence cripple the iPhone 3G for China to protect against that "requirement."

The iPhone is made in China, so they don't even need to reverse engineer it. They have the factories all set up already.

[Beler]

Finally is anounced in Croatia

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by davidswelt

Is it a rumor that all cell phones are required to have a USB port in China?
This rule is very sensible, but of course it would be an obstacle for the iPhone.

Isn't there a rule in China where milk should not kill you?

[heffeque]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

Isn't there a rule in China where milk should not kill you?

I think that it's not only in China, also in the States and in Europe there's a rule that says that milk should not kill you.

[nvidia2008]

Look, any Malaysian will tell you, let's face the fact, sometimes it really is backward here. Perhaps at the top of the developing countries heap, but definitely lagging behind Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong. The lack of the iPhone 3G, the PS3 that was *only just recently officially launched*, is just the tip of the iceberg.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by winterspan

Sorry to our Indonesia, Malaysia, and S Korea friends! We all hope you get iPhone soon...

The problem is the way big business is done in Malaysia. Without dragging this thread into PoliticalOutsider... Well, if you live here or have lived here you'll know...

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

Look, any Malaysian will tell you, let's face the fact, it really is backward here.

Can you be more specific as to the challenges Apple would face? According to Wikipedia most of the carriers have UMTS or HSDPA, but it doesn't state how much coverage there is or the number of subscribers using it. The numbers certainly seem high enough for Apple to want their business.

PS: What country do you reside in. I thought you were in China.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by wheelhot

Damn, no Malaysia again? Noo!!! and I thought Malaysia is going to get iPhone 3G by the end of this year. ....

Don't listen to bloody Maxis or Celcom. Bunch of rubbish all this iPhone3G in Malaysia talk, if you ask me. Just get an iPhone 3G from Singapore. Don't upgrade to 2.1 though if you are using it on Maxis

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by solipsism

Cna be more specific as to the challenges Apple would face? According to Wikipedia most of the carriers have UMTS or HSDPA, but it doesn't state how much coverage there is or the number of subscribers using it. The numbers certainly seem high enough for Apple to want their business.

I guess when I talk about backwards I guess I am talking more about education and attitudes. Broadband and 3G coverage is a very interesting start.

The main issue is that large local and global conglomerates are way too intimately weaved into the fabric of the political, judicial and legislative system.

The national telco's DSL rollout is terrible. The major competitor's 3G coverage is actually pretty good... if you use an iPhone 3G (unlocked eg. from Singapore) and not their 3G broadband USB modem.

The new iPod Touch, for those wondering, is not yet available in Malaysia... Because, "SIRIM" (the equivalent of USA's FCC for Malaysia...) has not "approved" it for some reason. This particular government agency, is supposed to, among other things, make sure power plugs don't explode and stuff like that... some kind of "electrical/ manufacturing standards" body...

There's also big talk of WiMax and major WiFi coverage, but it has yet to materialise.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

The new iPod Touch, for those wondering, is not yet available in Malaysia... Because, "SIRIM" (the equivalent of USA's FCC for Malaysia...) has not "approved" it for some reason. This particular government agency, is supposed to, among other things, make sure power plugs don't explode and stuff like that... some kind of "electrical/ manufacturing standards" body...

If the iPod Touch hasn't been approved by the SIRIM, I would imagine that the iPhone would have been approved, either.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by solipsism

...PS: What country do you reside in. I thought you were in China.

Heh. Never been there. But I've spent a few months, sometimes years, in San Francisco, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Singapore, a few months in London, and most recently a few years here in Kuala Lumpur.

Basically I grew up in Malaysia but like most of my childhood friends we had to travel widely to improve our education, work opportunities, and to grow our skills. Our parents now speak better English in some cases than today's teenagers here.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by solipsism

If the iPod Touch hasn't been approved by the SIRIM, I would imagine that the iPhone would have been approved, either.

That's the million dollar question, all these machinations are a big black box that most of the population does not know about. What's so different about the new iPod Touch compared to the previous one that was approved pretty fast? Most Apple gear never had an issue previously. I mean, we get all sorts of stuff from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, USA, Europe, etc. etc. We've got a decent port here but Singapore is definitely the huge hub for a lot of stuff. Generally, there's a good push in this region for more free trade, and this has improved in the past several years. Intel and Dell have quite a big presence... From time to time AMD and Western Digital as well.

Sadly, in the developing world, things are not as straightforward as they should be. I think somebody in this approval process thingymajig got wise to just how big this iPhone and new iPod Touch stuff is going to be, monetary wise... Sounds like somebody high up wants a bit more of the slice of the cake, if you get my drift...

The ironic thing is that most of the city folk in the middle to middle-upper class have an iPhone 2G or 3G by now anyways.

That said, most people here all have had mobile phones for the past five years, of course like in many of these countries the iPhone 3G is now a big phat status symbol like the Loius Vitton bag.

Edit: The situation here actually in some way is not unlike China and Korea, where as it says in the article... "...where regulatory bodies appear to be complicating the launch process...". For what reasons exactly, is intriguing... Korea's situation is quite obvious as a protectionist move for, I mean, some of the biggest mobile handset makers in the world, eg. Samsung and LG. China... well, who knows.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by Fast Fred 1

Do they have electricity yet?

LOL this isn't as rude as it sounds from Fast Fred... I live 5 km from the heart of the largest city here... and the phone line craps out sometimes, electricity fluctuates a bit (got a few chargers burnt out a few times until I installed a UPS)... Because of the tropical thunderstorms lightning easily wipes out a few DSL modems and cordless phones in my neighbourhood every few months [telephone lines are above ground in most of inner-city and surrounding suburbs]. As mentioned, I'm not impressed with our national telco... It's kinda like AT&T

[wheelhot]

Don't listen to bloody Maxis or Celcom. Bunch of rubbish all this iPhone3G in Malaysia talk, if you ask me. Just get an iPhone 3G from Singapore. Don't upgrade to 2.1 though if you are using it on Maxis

Aaah, there is unlocked version in Singapore? How much, am I hearing RM2k?

LOL this isn't as rude as it sounds from Fast Fred... I live 5 km from the heart of the largest city here... and the phone line craps out sometimes, electricity fluctuates a bit (got a few chargers burnt out a few times until I installed a UPS)... Because of the tropical thunderstorms lightning easily wipes out a few DSL modems and cordless phones in my neighbourhood every few months [telephone lines are above ground in most of inner-city and surrounding suburbs]. As mentioned, I'm not impressed with our national telco... It's kinda like AT&T

Tell me about it, Streamyx here sucks especially at my home, at night the internet line kept getting cut of, only at night though. Going to test out the new free public wifi after Ramadhan. But its cool to see the opposition is going to roll out WiMaX in Penang also, if Im not mistaken in 2 years time. Take that TMNut.

Basically I grew up in Malaysia but like most of my childhood friends we had to travel widely to improve our education, work opportunities, and to grow our skills. Our parents now speak better English in some cases than today's teenagers here.

True true.

Oh yea for those who erm..dont know what is happening in Malaysia, we are a developing country and we do have our own problems but dont think that we are some un-developed 3rd world country.

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by wheelhot

Aaah, there is unlocked version in Singapore? How much, am I hearing RM2k?...

For full unlocked version from Singapore/ New Zealand (don't get that Turbo-Sim unlocked crap) ... around RM 2K to 3K+ depending on who you get it from...