Vodafone iPhone Availability/Release Confirmed [iPhone Price War (Vodafone vs Orange vs O2) On the Cards?]

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Only yesterday we offered UK readers a heads up concerning Orange confirming that they are set to offer the iPhone 3GS to their customers before the end of the year (see: Orange iPhone 3GS Availability/Release Confirmed [O2 iPhone UK Exclusivity to Cease Before End of '09]) and now, less than 24 hours later, Vodafone have now waded in stating that they are also set to offer the iPhone in both the UK and Ireland thanks to a deal only signed last night.

Specific details at this juncture are in exceedingly short supply with Vodafone merely stating that they’ll carry the iPhone (both the 3G and 3GS variants) from early 2010 – which is interesting as, if reports are to be believed, would give Orange the jump as they are purportedly set to carry the iPhone 3GS (no mention of the standard 3G model) before the end of the year.

It’s hardly surprising that Vodafone have got in on the action as the company’s chief executive, Vittorio Colao, is on record as stating that he believes they have lost around 159,000 in the last quarter alone due to not offering the iPhone (and that’s got to hurt).

As far as you, the consumer, is concerned the news that Vodafone are to join Orange in carrying the iPhone (along with O2, of course) can only be good news as industry insiders are already talking up the all too inevitable price war that’s sure to follow as three carriers try to tease you into signing with them as opposed to the competition. Indeed, speculation concerning the impacts of any price war is already mounting with one analyst, namely Steven Hartley from the technology research house Ovum, feeling confident enough to openly state that he sees contract tariffs falling by as much as £4-£5 per month (source: Telegraph as linked below).

It no over yet, however, as we still await news concerning whether Virgin Mobile are able to secure the iPhone as well.

Needless to say if you’re UK/Ireland based and you’re looking to get a little iPhone action now is very obviously not the time to part with cash as a little patience will doubtless be rewarded once the aforementioned networks strive to outdo each other in order to get you signing on their respective dotted lines.

Hold tight. This is going to get very interesting and, needless to say, we’ll endeavour to keep you well and truly in the loop once the above mentioned networks start showing their cards.