The executives also spoke about how they are still seeing benefits from the early exclusivity the carrier held over the iPhone. “It will take a long time before that goes away,” Dunne said.

In addition it is rumoured that O2 is in talks with Apple to offer the 3G iPad in the UK. Although it is also said that an exclusive agreement is unlikely despite AT&T currently having the device in the U.S.

The WiFi version of the iPad will debut in the UK in March with the 3G version following in April, according to Apple.

Apple iPad

Rumours of a Verizon attached iPad have been circulating since before the device was even announced. Last week when Apple announced a partnership with AT&T it looked like the rumours were simply untrue but the originator of the rumours Clayton Morris of FOXNews.com has spoken to his Verizon source who claims that Apple and Verizon are continuing to work towards a deal.

According to Clayton, Verizon is “more interested in the lucrative iPhone contracts” but the Apple and the carrier are “very much talking and plan to bring an iPhone and an iPad” to Verizon in 2010. AT&T’s exclusivity over the iPhone is expected to expire in June this year.

The report also adds some insight into the pricing of the data for the iPad stating that, “AT&T was able to outbid every other GSM carrier with a $14.99 or $29.99 plan that gives customers 250MB or unlimited data, respectively.”

Of course Verizon does not operate a GSM network and would require Apple to build compatible hardware to work on Verizon’s CDMA network.

Alongside this prediction Misek also expects Apple to announce iPhone OS 4.0. In Misek’s note he runs down what he expects to see in iPhone OS 4.0 with his predictions running along the same lines as those rumoured by Boy Genius Report earlier in the week including, multitasking, a simpler user interface, and a new way to sync contacts and calendar apps.

Misek goes onto suggest that although many U.S. carriers will adopt tiered data plans, the iPhone on Verizon will still carry an unlimited data plan according to his “industry sources”.

“Together with our semi-conductor partners, we have ascertained that there is a reasonable chance the Asian supply chain is prepping for mass production of a new iPhone in March, for availability in late Q2, likely June,” Misek said. The new iPhone according to Misek will be capable of running on both CDMA and GSM networks.

Misek also looks forward to 2011 iPhone models speculating that Apple will release an LTE-capable “4GS” iPhone.

“The demand from both consumer and business customers has been phenomenal. They want an outstanding phone on an outstanding network and we’re delivering that,” said Vodafone UKCEO Guy Laurence.

Vodafone UK sold 50,000 units in the just first day.

The 50,000 units were ordered by customers who signed up ahead of the launch said Vodafone UK chief executive Guy Laurence.

Vodafone UK is offering the 8GB iPhone 3G for £59 on a 24-month contract that features 300 minutes, and unlimited texts and 1GB of data. On a £35 month contract the iPhone 3G is free alongside 600 minutes. iPhone 3GS 16GB is free on a £45 a month, 24-month contract offering 1200 minutes and unlimited texts with 1GB of data.

In an interview with the Financial Times O2 executive director Ronan Dunne admitted that some customers in London were unable to make or receive calls and the transfer of data was slow and unreliable because of pressure placed on O2’s network from smartphones.

O2 stated that the situation occurred in the second half of the year and has now been rectified with a £30 million investment in the capital during December to help improve network capacity. Detailing the improvements further O2 said that it was working with its infrastructure supplier Nokia Siemens Networks on software modifications, installing 200 additional mobile base stations in London. O2 will also liaise with smartphone manufacturers to become aware of heavy usage applications.

In the article O2 failed to recognise a country wide issue with multiple outages occurring across the country during 2009.

“Where we haven’t met our own high standards, then there’s no question, we apologize to customers for that fact,” said Dunne. “But it would be wrong to say O2 has failed its customers en masse.”

“We started preparing our network over a year ago so that iPhone customers will really feel the advantage of being with Vodafone,” said Guy Laurence, CEO, Vodafone UK. “We will offer an outstanding iPhone experience wherever our customers live, work and travel, delivering speed and reliability – something our customers have told us they really value.”

“We’re especially pleased to offer iPhone to business customers from launch, both directly and through a network of 20 dealers across the country – clearly demonstrating that Vodafone is the natural home for small business.”

Vodafone UK pricing for the iPhone remains in line with the likes of Orange and O2 who already sell the iPhone in the UK. The cheapest contract available is a 24-month £30/month with iPhone handset prices at £59, £149 and £239 for the iPhone 3G 8GB, iPhone 3GS 16GB and iPhone 3GS 32GB respectively. The £30 per month tariff offers 300 minutes, unlimited text messages, unlimited WiFi but only 1GB of network data transfer.

The comment comes after company Wednesday Marbridge Consulting reported that Unicom had sold only 10,000 units. This figure has now been confirmed to have been a typo.

Further on in the interview Xiaobing criticised the media for focussing on the high price of the contract-free 32GB iPhone 3GS which sells for an equivalent value of $1033. The chairman also refers to previous reports that China Unicom purchased 5 million units from Apple which Xiaobing describes as “not entirely accurate”.

Tesco Mobile will offer a £20 a month contract with a duration of 12 months with a iPhone 3G 8GB available for £222. Tesco Mobile also offers a higher contract for £60 a month offering unlimited calls, texts and data although the duration is 24 months.

Reid’s thoughts come off analysing the carriers different advertising campaigns, “AT&T advertising in the United States has in recent weeks clearly shifted away from iPhone as the carrier likely readies itself to lose exclusivity in the United States (to T-Mobile and not to VZ, we believe) while VZ ads promoting Droid and other anti-iPhone devices appear to have intensified markedly”.

Rumours earlier in 2009 suggested that AT&T was looking to extend its exclusive contract—which expires sometime in 2010—through to 2011 but such suggestions died off around the middle of the year.

Reid added that Verizon could pick up the iPhone in 2011 when its 4G network is more established.

T-Mobile would be an easier target for the iPhone than Verizon as it will already be able to work on T-Mobile’s GSM network but will be unable to access thaw 3G portion of the network as the iPhone is only compatible with 850MHz, 1900MHz and 2100MHz bands where as T-Mobile operates on 1700MHz.

Qualcomm who supplies GSM and 3G chips to companies such as Samsung, LG and HTC is becoming increasingly concerned about its future in the high-end handset market according to the report by DigiTimes. Currently the iPhone uses an Infineon chip whilst Palm uses Marvell for the Pre and RIM uses Freescale for the Blackberry.

Past rumours have suggested that Qualcomm could be manufacturing a “hybrid” chip aimed at the iPhone capable of being compatible with GSM carriers as well as CDMA carriers such as Verizon Wireless in the U.S. Qualcomm first manufactured chips capable of switching between GSM and CDMA in 2002.

Rumours have also suggested that Verizon is bidding to have the iPhone on its network sometime in 2010, which would require the iPhone to be able to connect to the CDMA technology which Verizon uses.

Korea Communications Commission issued a statement on Wednesday saying that it will grant Apple a license that will allow the collecting of information about location and provide services such “as map, phone locating and related marketing.”

KT Corp is rumoured to be the carrier that has been selected to sell the handset in South Korea with some Korean newspapers suggesting that a launch could be as early as next week.

Orange announced via a Twitter account that it had sold 30,000 iPhone units today, what it claims was a UK record for handset sales in the UK.

Meanwhile O2 was today allowing customers to unlock their iPhones for use on other networks although existing contracts will have to be seen through.

Although many were expect Orange to compete heavily with O2 in the UK, the carrier appears to have decided to be very much in line with the current O2 pricing.

Orange’s cheapest 24 month pay monthly contract is £29.36 compared to O2’s cheapest which is £34.26 with the former offering far fewer minutes and texts but is offering a free iPhone 3G 8GB handset.

The iPhone will be sold by Orange in the UK in Orange shops, Orange on-line, Orange HMV concessions, Carphone Warehouse, Phones4U and more. A number of Orange stores across the UK will be celebrating the launch of iPhone on Orange with early opening times from 7am on November 10th, with other stores across the country keeping their doors open until late.

“The excitement for the iPhone is immense, and this is a great day for our customers, our company and our employees. Since we announced the iPhone on Orange we have already seen more than a quarter of a million customers register their interest on our website. We will be matching their enthusiasm with a 3G mobile broadband network that covers more people in the UK than any other operator, a commitment to deliver the best 3G experience on the iPhone and best-in-class applications and plans. Earlier this year we stated our ambition to become the destination brand of choice for high end mobile users in the UK. With the launch of the iPhone on November 10 we’re pleased to be fulfilling that ambition.” Stated Tom Alexander, CEO of Orange UK in a press release today.

The Times also adds that over 200,000 people have pre-registered their interest in buying the iPhone from Orange. Orange declined to comment on the launch date of pre-registration figures.

Vodafone will also begin selling the iPhone in early 2010 while 3 has confirmed to the The Times that it expects to begin selling the iPhone in mid-2010.

Currently no pricing for handsets of tariffs is available from Orange, Vodafone or 3.

Both Telus and Bell revealed today that the iPhone 3G and 3GS would be available in November. No pricing of handsets or tariffs was disclosed.

Further pricing will be available nearer the time.

O2 who is currently the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the UK is expected to lose its exclusivity of the device at the end of November.

The company will now be selling iPhone units in 28 countries around the world.

No information about tariff prices or availability were given but those interested can register their interest for more information.

O2’s exclusivity over the iPhone is also due to run out later this year but will continue to sell the iPhone across the UK. The company also issued a statement this morning:

“We’re proud that we’ve been able to offer an exclusive iPhone deal to our 20 million customers for the last two years. We always knew that iPhone exclusivity was for a limited period of time, but our relationship with Apple continues and will be an ongoing success. We have over 1million iPhone customers and they remain very important to us.”

The rollout will begin late on Friday morning, Pacific time.

MMS Update: We know you’ve been eager for this service so we wanted to offer a quick update on the launch plans for MMS on Friday, Sept. 25. Late morning, Pacific Time, on Friday, the new carrier settings update enabling MMS should be live and ready to download through iTunes. We’ll provide the steps and all of the details you need right here at that time.

Additional reports earlier this week suggest that AT&T is nervous about the launch of MMS having done some preliminary testing the carrier is said to have suffered strain on servers and infrastructure.

MMS will be enabled for iPhone 3G and 3GS owners on that day via a software update.

In the press release AT&T also makes mention that it is constantly striving to improve network capacity.

The announcement comes after several months of speculation that the number two Chinese Carrier with 140 million subscribers would receive the iPhone.

“We believe China Unicom’s high-speed mobile broadband network, coupled with … (the iPhone) will create new communication and different experiences for customers in China,” said China Unicom CEO Chang Xiaobin.

The company also released a statement, within it stating that a three-year deal had been made on Aug. 28 and that the initial launch was expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2009. No details of pricing or revenue sharing were announced.

The Chinese carrier is set to hold a media briefing on Friday to discuss its fiscal results for the first half of 2009 and a China Unicom spokesman has said that the iPhone “would undoubtedly be discussed,” according to Reuters.

Additionally the report states “Apple’s iPhone manufacturing partner Hon Hai is making the iconic handset for a Chinese company, an official at the Taiwanese firm said, declining to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media”.

According to iPhonAsia mentioned is that the custom WCDMA iPhone with no WiFi connectivity will also come pre-loaded with apps specifically for China.

“Talks between us and Apple have been going on for some time, but no agreement has been reached yet,” China Unicom spokesman Yi Difei told The Associated Press. “There are all kinds of possibilities. There is no particular timetable for the talks.”

Reports that China Unicom had purchased five million WCDMA model iPhones, without WiFi were originally reported by China Business News who quoted Yu Zaonan, general manager of the customer development department of China Unicom in Guangzhou.

Yu Zaonan, general manager of the customer development department of China Unicom in Guangzhou said “The price of the 8G standard iPhone is set at about 2,400 yuan and the 16G may be sold at 4,800 yuan”.

Apple is reportedly making profits of between 1,000 and 1,100 yuan for each device sold.

Neither Apple or China Unicom has officially confirmed a deal between the two companies.

O2 will continue to have rights to sell the iPhone through 2012, an O2 spokesperson told Mobile Entertainment, “All I can say is that O2 has a multi-year exclusive on iPhone – and that this remains in place.”

The Chinese based site has also posted photos of what it claims is an iPhone destined for the Chinese market.

According to an article on iPhoneAsia the receipt of radio transmission certificate “is not news”, as the iPhone is yet to be approved for sale due to the lack of a network access license.

The report comes not long after rumours that O2 would be losing it’s exclusivity over the iPhone 3G whilst retaining it on the iPhone 3GS.

The Register goes onto speculate that T-Mobile is most likely importing unlocked iPhone handsets from a European country for sale in the UK. O2 confirmed to the news site that it stills retains exclusivity over all iPhone models.

The source stated to Shanghai Securities News that China Unicom could begin selling the iPhone around late September and the agreement set a minimum sales threshold of CNY 5 billion ($731 million), effectively guaranteeing Apple sales of one to two million devices per year.

Following this report Reuters posted that China Unicom spokesperson Sophia Tso had said that “Discussions are still ongoing, we have not reached any formal agreement,” an Apple spokesperson declined to comment.

China Unicom had 135 million subscribers as of February 2009 and runs a standard GSM/UMTS 3G network – the same as AT&T’s network in the United States.

During the quarter AT&T activated 2.4 million iPhone subscribers, 34 percent of them were new to AT&T. According to AT&T’s figures this makes the iPhone responsible for more than 60 percent of carriers 1.4 million subscriber increase in the quarter.

The release of the iPhone 3GS dented AT&T’s bottom line slightly with the carrier subsiding each device by up to $400. ”Increased operating expenses in the second quarter of 2009, in part, reflect volume-based acquisition costs associated with the success of the iPhone 3GS launch,” read AT&T’s report, ”AT&T’s iPhone customer characteristics are attractive, with ARPUs significantly higher than and churn rates well below the company’s postpaid averages; as a result, robust iPhone demand drives strong recurring revenues and substantial long-term value.”

In related news AT&T CEO Randal Stephenson said during the Fortune: Brainstorm tech conference that, “There will be a day when [we] are not exclusive with the iPhone”. Stephenson failed to comment on Apple and AT&Ts relationship.

According to Beijing regulations mobile devices can’t feature WiFi, an issue which dates back many years. The device which is said to be in tests by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and codenamed “model 90″ is expected to be available sometime in September.

The first report from Mobile Today states that both T-Mobile and Orange in the UK are in talks with Apple to begin selling the iPhone 3G. The deal would mean that O2 remains the exclusive seller of the iPhone 3GS. Mobile Today reports that the move will come into play in early September. Also of interest Mobile Today writes at the end of its report that Apple and O2’s two year exclusive agreement is due to end in September.

Another report this week from The Guardian rumours that T-Mobile will “snatch iPhone from O2″, the report contains no mention of Orange or a differentiation between the iPhone 3G and 3GS. If true it would mean that O2 has come to the end of an exclusive agreement with Apple in the UK.

The message appeared towards the end of last week and states that stock is expected to return “at the end of this week.”

A similar message has also appeared on Fido’s website, the Canadian carrier states that stock will be available in the “coming weeks.”

Apple retail stores in both Canada and UK appear to have healthy stock of the iPhone 3GS.

The comments come direct from AT&T’s CEO, Ralph de la Vega who said at the Reuters Global Technology Summit last week that he could see AT&T capping data in return for lower costs.

“Right now we continue to study what is the best thing that is available, not just from an iPhone point of view, but what you can do to stimulate additional demand,” de la Vega said at the Technology Summit.

The remarks come not long after reports that AT&T is looking into offering a $20 per month iPhone plan that would give iPhone owners $10 a month in savings but see a data cap put in place.

The message initially created some doubt but a report in New Zealand’s National Business Review added further credence with a quote from Telecom NZ’s chief of retail Alan Gourdie saying that the carrier was in “discussions – deep discussions – with Apple”.

Vodafone currently sells the iPhone in New Zealand but this news suggests Apple is looking to expand beyond a single carrier in the country.

The rumours which come from “people familiar with the situation” state that discussions between Apple and Verizon began several months ago and have continued despite Apple CEO Steve Jobs being on medical leave.

The issue with Verizon is the use of a CDMA network which is not compatible with the current GSM based iPhone. It was only last week that COO of Apple, Tim Cook was dismissing rumours of a Verizon based CDMA phone.

Well from a technology point of view as you know, Verizon is on CDMA and we’ve shown from the beginning of the iPhone to focus on one phone for the whole of the world and when you do that, you really go down the GSM root, because CDMA is – doesn’t really have a life to it after a point in time.

USA Today goes onto speculate that any deal between Apple and Verizon would not stop Apple operating with AT&T.

The company which also reported a “1.2 million net gain in total wireless subscribers to reach 78.2 million” said that of the 1.6 million iPhone 3G activations 40-percent of those customers were new to the company.

Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer said in a statement; “I am particularly pleased with the success of our iPhone 3G initiative, which has driven strong high-end customer growth and delivered financial benefits ahead of our original outlook. Business and consumer expectations for mobility are on the rise, wireless innovation is flourishing and the opportunities ahead are substantial. AT&T is strongly positioned to lead in the next generation of wireless growth.”

Apple will announce its fiscal second quarter 2009 results later on today.

When the iPhone was first announced in January 2007 it was unknown how long AT&Ts exclusivity would last with many speculating that a 5-year deal was most likely.

Also in a related story the Wall Street Journal reports today on comments made by Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg.

Mr. Seidenberg also addressed the notion of Apple Inc.’s iPhone ever coming to the Verizon Wireless network, saying it is more likely that Apple would be willing to work with the carrier under the fourth-generation, or 4G, network, which follows the same technology standard as AT&T Inc.’s 4G plans. He said Apple never seriously considered making a CDMA version of the iPhone because it didn’t have as wide a distribution opportunity.

Talks between China Unicom and Apple to introduce iPhone into China came to a halt as Apple was said to have asked the Chinese telecoms carrier to stand costs of building Apple special stores in this country after China Unicom agreed on a profit-sharing plan proposed by Apple.

The article goes onto state that when China Unicom executives were asked about the issue they stated that talks were ongoing but had no specific details.