By Chris Maxcer MacNewsWorld Part of the ECT News Network
09/02/08 2:40 PM PT
Apple has chosen two different carriers to sell the iPhone in Russia. Most recently, MegaFon, Russia's No. 3 wireless provider, announced it will officially sell the iPhone 3G. The news followed last week's announcement from VimpelCom that it would sell the much-anticipated device.
The gray market for unlocked iPhones in Russia will soon be turning white and black to match the latest colors available for the iPhone 3G --
MegaFon, the third largest cellular service carrier in Russia will be officially selling Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) popular iPhone.
Like previous heads-up announcements by other carriers that have signed with Apple, MegaFon's statement is brief: "MegaFon today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to Russia later this year," reads its English translation.
The company has more than 30 million wireless customers, and it has been aggressively building out its 3G services network.
Second Carrier
VimpelCom -- the second largest cellular service provider in Russia, with more than 42 million subscribers -- announced last week that it would sell the Apple iPhone in Russia.
Neither company has announced delivery dates or rate plans.
As with many countries, the iPhone has made its way to Russia via international sales and unlocking programs that let the handset work with unofficial carriers. So the gray-market iPhone hasn't been tied to any service contracts, which is typical in the U.S. and in other countries.
The official iPhone will likely be offered at a premium price without a service contract, as well as at a discounted price with a service contract, in order to satisfy Russian consumers that prefer to buy their handsets separately from their services.
Unlocked gray-market iPhones in Russia have sold for about US$1,000 -- though many iPhones have undoubtedly been purchased by travelers or friends in other other countries for hundreds less than the gray-market units.
Growing Wireless Market
The Russian wireless communications market has "exploded" during the last decade, Jeff Kagan, a telecommunications and wireless analyst, told MacNewsWorld.
"Traditional phone service was always terrible. In that environment, cell phone service is always very popular," he explained.
The largest Russian mobile services carrier, MTS, which has more than 87 million subscribers, is also widely expected to sell Apple's iPhone -- which should give consumers a trio of service carrier choices.
In the United States, iPhone customers can use only one official carrier -- AT&T (NYSE: T). The 8 GB iPhone 3G costs $199, while the 16-GB model goes for $299. Rate plans start at approximately $70 a month.
UK Watchdog Nixes iPhone Ad Over 'All Parts of the Internet' Claim August 27, 2008
In an iPhone ad aired in the UK, Apple claims that the iPhone can access "all parts of the Internet," presumably to emphasize the phone's ability to surf the Net almost as well as a desktop. But technically, it's not true -- the iPhone doesn't support Flash or Java. It may be quibbling to some, but it's too far a stretch for the UK's Advertising Standards Authority, which ordered the ad pulled.
Related Stories
Related News Alerts
More by Chris Maxcer
The iPad's Cruel Teaser March 09, 2010
The iPad ad that debuted on Sunday was remarkable in how many functions it managed to cram into just 30 seconds. Document creation, email, e-books, media viewing -- all that and more was demoed using just two hands and a hip soundtrack. However, the ad left quite a few important questions about the iPad unanswered.
The iPad Catalyst Will Light a Lot of Fires March 02, 2010
I think we're going to get a lot of fantastic content options for mobile devices in 2010, even if you don't pony up for an iPad. While the iPad will likely be a raging success, it'll also help generate a market for alternatives. The question is, can we credit -- or blame -- the iPad for generating all this mobile action? Maybe not the iPad alone, but it's certainly the latest catalyst.
With Smut Ban, App Store Exposes a Jiggly Set of Rules February 23, 2010
Apple's stance on risque iPhone and iPod touch apps is understandable, but the whole incident does underscore the App Store's frustratingly fickle nature. Apple should either draw up a precise, crystal-clear set of guidelines for app developers or just admit it's completely subjective -- "If we like it, it's in; if we don't, it's rejected." Right now, its policy seems to be somewhere in between.
Headline Feeds
Talkback: 
