Vodafone HTC HD2 To Be Discontinued for ‘General’ Customers [Vodafone Confirm HTC HD2 to be Offered to Business Users Only – Speculation Hints at Possible Apple Influence]

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Having initially reported back at the beginning of November as to the availability of the much praised HTC HD2 smartphone on the UK’s Vodafone network its now been confirmed, by Vodafone themselves, that the HTC HD2 will no longer be offered to ‘general’ customers once its current stock of the HD2 runs out (though, oddly, it will continue to be offered to business users).

“Although we understand our consumer customers will be disappointed, we’re confident the range of handsets we have in the pipeline will offer more than enough options to pick up a great handset,” an unnamed Vodafone spokesman said, confirming that Vodafone are to drop the HTC HD2 for all but business customers, stating “We see the HTC HD2 as a strong business users’ handset, so that’s why we’ll be keeping it in range.”

This fascinating and somewhat curious move by Vodafone has led to considerable speculation that Apple may have employed strong arm tactics what with Vodafone set to offer the iPhone in 2010 as, if anything, reaction to the HTC HD2 has been enormously favourable from both customers and industry pundits alike – to the point where its been heralded as a genuine ‘iPhone beater’ (not that any smartphone doesn’t seem to be these days, but few would argue that the HTC HD2 certainly serves as strong competition to the iPhone and is way up there in terms of desirability).

What makes Vodafone’s shock announcement particularly perplexing, however, is that both O2 and T-Mobile are to continue to sell the HTC HD2 to general customers (and its not as if O2 are unfamiliar with the iPhone, though they have of course recently lost iPhone exclusivity in the UK).

Are Apple behind Vodafone’s decision to drop the HTC HD2 for general customers? Vodafone certainly aren’t offering any official reason for dropping the HD2 for general customers whilst still keeping it available for business customers and, unsurprisingly, many have been quick to point the finger at a possible Apple influence in what is otherwise a seemingly absurd move from Vodafone.

So, if you’re looking to get your hands on a HTC HD2 in the UK you can cross Vodafone off your list, officially.