Apple makes it official: iPhone to O2

As widely expected, Apple today named O2 its exclusive U.K. carrier partner for the iPhone, which will make its formal debut across the pond on Nov. 9. The iPhone will make its international debut in its 8GB incarnation, which Apple will sell for £269/$536 (including VAT)--O2 will make available three iPhone tariffs starting at £35/$70, all of them including unlimited anytime, anywhere mobile data usage and free unlimited use of its public Wi-Fi network, which spans 7,500 cafés, restaurants, airport lounges, pubs and other locations. Apple will sell the iPhone through its own British retail and online stores as well as O2 and independent mobile retailer Carphone Warehouse's brick-and-mortar and online stores.

On Monday, The Guardian reported O2 secured the deal by signing a last-minute agreement that returns to Apple as much as 40 percent of all revenues generated via calls and services originated on iPhones. O2 must also hand over a commission and future revenue share to Carphone Warehouse.

For more on O2's iPhone launch:
- read this release

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