Orange to launch iPhone across Europe

Orange, a division of France Telecom, is to distribute the 3G iPhone on behalf of Apple in four European countries.

From 11th July Orange will start selling the new iPhone in Austria, Portugal and Switzerland.

The launch date in France has been set six days later, on 17th July.

Orange will start distributing the iPhone in other markets later this year in locations as diverse as the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Poland, Jordan, Romania, Slovakia, and a number of African countries.

iPhone 3G incorporates mobile phone connectivity with broadband-speed internet browsing, a touch sensitive wide-screen, and storage for videos, music and games.

Last year Orange acquired the exclusive rights to distribute the iPhone in France, and since November the group has sold around 100,000 units in the country.