Apple preparing to launch iPhone in 29 more countries
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.
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.
Comments
Some notable submissions . . .
I think you meant "omissions".
This rule is very sensible, but of course it would be an obstacle for the iPhone.
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.
Damnit Etisalat
Blackberry and RIM can also kiss their collective arses goodbye as well, but that will take a while.
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.
Phase 3
A complete list of countries expected to be part of the phase 3 launch includes Botswana
Phase 1
Apple's first phase iPhone 3G launch took place on July 11th, when it announced
Phase 2
On August 22nd, the Cupertino-based company expanded
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 \t
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
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.
That's what I want to know!
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)
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.