Italian carrier Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) is set to launch the 3G iPhone in June, according to a new report. La Repubblica, a well-respected Italian daily, claims (Translated Link) the Italian selling price of the 3G iPhone may be substantially higher due to the lack of a revenue sharing agreement, and that TIM would begin carrying the phone several months before competitors in lieu of long-term exclusivity.
It is unclear whether a change of this sort in carrier strategy by Apple would be a result of apparently slower than expected iPhone sales in Europe that have led to recent price-cuts on the phone in the UK and Germany. Evidence of a potential iPhone deal with TIM has notably been found in the device’s firmware, dating back to version 1.1.2, however, the iPhone still has not officially launched in Italy.
[via Engadget]
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