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Apple launches iPhone in the UK

The much-hyped mobile device will be available to buy from 9 November, through Apple, O2 and The Carphone Warehouse
Written by Colin Barker, Contributor

Apple launched the iPhone in the UK on Tuesday, and said the device will be available to buy on 9 November.

As expected, the iPhone will be available on the O2 mobile network. It will cost £269 for the 8GB model.

Customers will be able to buy iPhones through Apple, O2 (the exclusive UK carrier) and The Carphone Warehouse.

Apple will be expecting brisk business when the iPhone goes on sale. The company said on Tuesday that it sold its one millionth iPhone just 74 days after the device first went on sale in the US on 29 June.

"US iPhone customer satisfaction is off the charts," said Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, in a statement, adding: "We can't wait to let UK customers get their hands on it and learn what they think of it."

iPhone users in the UK will be able to activate their iPhones using iTunes on a PC or Mac without having to visit an Apple store, the company said. An iTunes guide will take them through choosing their tariff, a credit check and activating their device.

Three tariffs will be available at £35, £45 and £55 per month. For £35, users get 200 minutes of calls and 200 text messages. For £45 they receive 600 minutes and 500 texts and for £55 they get 1,200 minutes and 500 texts.

According to O2, there is "unlimited" data use, subject to the company's "fair use" policy. There is also free access to the 7,500 Wi-Fi hotspots on The Cloud network.

Apple claims that its "unlimited anytime, anywhere mobile data usage" is a market first.

iPhone activation will require an iTunes store account or a credit card plus the latest version of iTunes and a PC or Mac with a USB 2.0 port.

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