Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel), the fixed and wireless voice and data communications services provider, announced Monday its plan to bring Apple Inc.’s much-hyped mobile phone, called iPhone, to Singapore, India, the Philippines and Australia later this year.
SingTel, Southeast Asia's largest phone company, said it has along with its associates, including Bharti Airtel Ltd, Globe Telecom Inc and Australian unit Optus, signed an agreement with Apple to launch the combination phone in Asia later this year.
SingTel holds a 30.5% stake in India’s Bharti Airtel and 44.5% in Philippines’ Globe, and it owns Australia’s Optus.
In a separate announcement, the Singapore-owned telco Optus said it will sell the Apple iPhone in Australia, becoming the second Australian mobile operator after Vodafone to officially confirm they will be stocking the iPhone in Australia.
Last week, Vodafone Australia officially confirmed that it will sell Apple’s much lauded iPhone in Australia. For the purpose, the mobile service provider has signed an agreement with Apple, under which it will sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe.
The deal makes Australia the latest in the growing list of key markets to sell iPhone for use on the Vodafone network, that includes Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey.
An Optus spokesperson declined to offer additional information regarding the company’s plans for the iPhone, including dates or prices.
After revolutionizing the personal computing with its Macintosh line of desktop and notebook computers, and digital media market with its most popular iPod, the Cupertino, California based Apple revolutionized the mobile industry by launching its highly-anticipated combination phone, iPhone.
Priced at $499 for 4-gigabyte model and $599 for an 8-gigabyte model, this multifunctional device accumulates three amazing products, a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, maps, and searching, into one small and lightweight handheld device.
As of March, Apple has sold 5.7 million iPhones since its launch in 2007. Apple CEO Steve Jobs, way back in January, proclaimed that Apple is aiming to sell 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008.
iphone
The iphone is so awesome that why its so awesome is because it has a touch screen.