O2 has announced that the 16GB and 32GB versions of the new iPhone 3GS, which Apple unveiled yesterday, will be available in its UK stores from 19 June. But the mobile operator will not be subsidising the cost of upgrading this time round.
As with the existing iPhone 3G, the new devices will be free on the highest O2 consumer and business tariffs, but those opting for the 18-month £29.38 contract will have to pay £184.98 for the 16GB model and £274.23 for the 32GB model.
Those not wanting to tie themselves into a 24-month or 36-month contract can opt for pay-as-you-go versions at £440.40 and £538.30 respectively.
In a move that has angered many customers, O2 subscribers will not be able to upgrade to the new phone simply by resetting their contract. Unlike when the iPhone 3G replaced the original iPhone, customers will have to pay to terminate their existing contract early in order to start a new subscription with the iPhone 3GS.
A number of online petitions have already been created to protest against the decision, and social networking sites such as Twitter became inundated with people voicing their anger. The Twitter hashtag #o2fail was quickly being adopted to help users jointly express their disapproval.
Furthermore, customers wishing to make use of the new tethering feature in iPhone OS 3.0, which allows the iPhone to be used as a 3G data modem for a notebook, will have to purchase an additional Internet Tethering Bolt On, which costs £15 a month with a 3GB cap or £29.36 with a 10GB cap.
O2 confirmed that the third iteration of the iPhone operating system will be available as a free download to iPhone owners through iTunes from 17 June.
The operator has updated its dedicated iPhone site with all the pricing details for the new iPhone 3GS, as well as information on the new OS 3.0 features.
Company right to seek wider, poorer market 09 Jun 2009
New handset and updated OS X Snow Leopard and Safari highlight opening keynote 08 Jun 2009
Apple chief planning high-profile return to the company 05 Jun 2009
Provider reports strong demand for new handset 09 Jun 2009
New handset pegged for launch in the summer 03 Jun 2009
Video, voice recognition and cut-and-paste among new features 19 Jun 2009
Palm's much-anticipated handset will be available from O2 next month 24 Sep 2009
Apple's profits likely to come from carrier deals, say analysts 25 Jun 2009
Retailer to offer monthly and pay-as-you-go deals 11 Dec 2009
The future's Orange now for Apple iPhone 02 Nov 2009
E.ON and ScottishPower receive funding to help complete design and development studies 12 Mar 2010
But the Commission remains confident bloc will exceed target to generate a fifth of energy from renewables by 2020 12 Mar 2010
Industry urges legislators to move bill to the president's desk as quickly as possible 12 Mar 2010
More news
From hydropower hot spots to record-breaking Texan winds, we run down the top stories from the past week 12 Mar 2010
Few debates cast the UK's business and political community in such an unedifying light as the never-ending row over skills.... 12 Mar 2010
Christian Kjaer, chief executive of the European Wind Energy Association, argues that a supergrid is essential to EU efforts to cut carbon emissions 11 Mar 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
