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"We are not an iPhone house" says O2

By Dave Stevenson

Posted on 5 Oct 2009 at 10:53

Ronan Dunne, O2's chief executive, says the company "never focused itself" solely around the iPhone, and that the company "always" knew last week's announcement the iPhone was going to Orange and Vodafone was coming. "To suggest it's some sort of coup amuses me slightly," said Dunne.

In an interview with The Guardian, Dunne hit back at suggestions Orange and Vodafone has "won" the iPhone from O2. "We are not an iPhone house. We were a successful business before the iPhone, we have been a successful business with the iPhone and we will be a successful business after it goes multi [operator]," he said.

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Orange announced last week that it would offer the iPhone by the end of the year, with Vodafone claiming it will offer it by early 2010.

Once the O2's monopoly on the iPhone comes to an end later this year, the company will still have exclusivity on the Palm Pre, which launches October 16th.

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User comments

Surely he fears the wall, when the revolution comes?

At their pricing, unless there's a monopoly put in place, Orange and Vodafone must sell the iPhone at a lower price.

Which will mean the cash cow has run dry...

By cheysuli on 5 Oct 2009

@cheysuli
Don't hold your breath, I think its more likely to be cosy little club with all three operators charging similar (high) prices?

By rjp2000 on 5 Oct 2009

Usman

Speaking as someone who has worked for O2 as a sales advisor, I'd have to disagree with Mr. Dunne's statement. O2 stores seem to be redundant on days when they are out of stock on iPhones. We're trained specifically on iPhones- something no other phone gets (instead we get infrequent visits by Company representatives for companies like Samsung). I really think the Orange and Vodafone iPhone deal will be a blow for O2, not something that will have them keeling over but perhaps up their ante.

By purpleusi on 5 Oct 2009

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