Engadget is reporting that the O2 iPhone has the new 1.1.1 firmware (on its screenshots) and has support for multiple languages AND allows network selection. They actually show the phone with T-Mobile selected. I assume this means the EU version of the phone will make it easier to roam, and one model of the phone can easily be supplied to any country that the multiple languages support.

i wouldn’t bet on that, unfortunately roaming charges are the bread and butter of providers (but the courageous white knight - aka EU Commission - is doing its best )

i wouldn’t bet on that, unfortunately roaming charges are the bread and butter of providers (but the courageous white knight - aka EU Commission - is doing its best )

I’m not really worried about voice roaming charges… these can be pretty reasonable now, but data roaming charges at up to Ј6/MB (yes you read right.. that’s $12/MB) are simply outright daylight robbery, and Apple had better get O2 and partners to slash this to a fraction of these or suffer the most incredible backlash ever.

If the Apple iPhone partners in Europe get together with reasonable roam data then it will overcome their number one competitor Vodafone. Maybe SJ can get them to work together because it is in Apple’s best interest. If they do not get together and the roam data prices are off the charts then Apple will have to have swappable sims…. JMHO

[quote author=“SNIPUS”]If the Apple iPhone partners in Europe get together with reasonable roam data then it will overcome their number one competitor Vodafone. Maybe SJ can get them to work together because it is in Apple’s best interest. If they do not get together and the roam data prices are off the charts then Apple will have to have swappable sims…. JMHO

The O2 deal is funny in a sense, because O2’s data charges - both local and roaming - are the highest in the UK, possibly in the entire EU, so I just have to hope that Jobs has managed to punch some sense into them along the lines you suggest. Frankly, if Apple can rope these guys together to all gang up on Vodafone then they could present a powerful and compelling alternative in a demonstration of “joined up thinking” unparalleled in mobile industry history.

I just posted a story on IV about how the EU was saying they are looking into data roaming next (having just completed voice roaming work). Article was from July so maybe we’ll see some progress soon.

HAB

Jobs answered some questions after the event, relating to unlocking, iPhone apps and partnerships. Also said 3G might happen “late next year.” I think he said this just to discredit Scott Morantz.