Orange will begin selling iPhones in the UK in November, putting it in competition with O2 this Christmas.
According to the Guardian, Orange is planning on launching the phone on November 10, the day after O2’s exclusive contract with Apple ends. Orange will apparently sell the iPhone through its own shops and Phones4U.
Until now, Carphone Warehouse has been the only independent retailer to stock the iPhone, and the chain is expected to sell the device on behalf of Orange.
Last month, a day after Orange announced its deal with Apple, Vodafone said it had also secured a contract to stock the iPhone.
Meanwhile, Kevin Russell, chief executive of the 3 network, reportedly said last week that he expects to begin selling the device in 2010.