This Is Guernsey

By Juliet Pouteaux

FOUR companies are in a race to be first to offer Apple’s new iPhone to Guernsey customers. The Apple 3G phone, which launched yesterday in the UK is currently available only from O2 after an exclusive deal struck last year.

CI Lighting has supplied the earlier, 2G, model and already has a waiting list for the new one. ‘We are hoping to get it in. There’s a fair demand,’ said manager Stephen Rogers.  He is in discussion with distributors but has no idea of price or when any phones might arrive. Wave Telecom is also trying to get the device.

‘We’ll continue to be among the hundreds of operators asking Apple to follow a more customer-friendly distribution strategy,’ said MD Tim Ringsdore.

‘We are working closely with our suppliers and as soon as the iPhone becomes available to us we will provide it.’

Airtel Vodafone has said it hopes to offer the new iPhone to customers.

Sure hopes to get the phone soon.

‘One thing that we will not do is use unapproved suppliers to get the iPhone,’ said Sure’s commercial director, Mark Briers.

‘That would create a risk that customers cannot get their phone fixed if it breaks or cannot process a software update.’

For similar reasons, the phone companies have also been discouraging customers from bringing the phone in from the UK.

Apple says the new phone is three times faster than its predecessor. It is also much cheaper.

Originally the 2G was sold for £300 when it was launched last June, but the new 3G 8Gb model will sell in the UK for £100.

The new model has 10 radio bands, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi access and is slimmer and lighter than the 2G. It sold out in some UK stores yesterday.

Article posted on 12th July, 2008 - 9.30am